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Immortals After Dark #10
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Romance (2011)From #1 New York Times bestseller Kresley Cole comes this gripping tale of a battle-maddenend warrior driven by revenge and the Valkyrie temptress who haunts his dreams.
He Vowed He'd Come For Her...
Murdered before he could wed Regin the Radiant, warlord Aidan the Fierce seeks his beloved through eternity, reborn again and again into new identities, yet with no memory of his past lives.
She Awaits His Return...
When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals—unaware that he belongs to their world.
To Sate A Desire More Powerful Than Death...
Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan’s torments, will Regin rekindle memories of the passion they once shared—even if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?
He Vowed He'd Come For Her...
Murdered before he could wed Regin the Radiant, warlord Aidan the Fierce seeks his beloved through eternity, reborn again and again into new identities, yet with no memory of his past lives.
She Awaits His Return...
When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals—unaware that he belongs to their world.
To Sate A Desire More Powerful Than Death...
Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan’s torments, will Regin rekindle memories of the passion they once shared—even if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?
515 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 15, 2011
About the author
Kresley Cole
64 books26.7k followersKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,844 reviews
January 10, 2016
1.5 "I Almost Did Not Finish" Stars!!
Declan Chase can go Suck a Dick!!
What can I say? I hated the Hero. Hated him!!!
The author tried to redeem him in the final 40 pages which was too little too late because I hated him for the first 400 pages.
I had to make myself finish this book. Too much repetition of events from the previous book. Freakin Torture!! This book gets 2 stars because Kresley Cole is a talented writer and it hurts me to give her a 1 star.
Regin the Radiant
I just HATED Chase. Which really sucked because I love Regin the Radiant, the heroine. She was brave, loyal, smart and sassy. She was one of the few Valkyrie that didn't have crazy baggage, and wanted to fall in love with her man. Oh well, on to the next book in the series!!
On to book #12. Lothaire!!! Here I come!!!
My Immortals After Dark Reviews:
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Dark Skye
Declan Chase can go Suck a Dick!!
What can I say? I hated the Hero. Hated him!!!
The author tried to redeem him in the final 40 pages which was too little too late because I hated him for the first 400 pages.
I had to make myself finish this book. Too much repetition of events from the previous book. Freakin Torture!! This book gets 2 stars because Kresley Cole is a talented writer and it hurts me to give her a 1 star.
Regin the Radiant
I just HATED Chase. Which really sucked because I love Regin the Radiant, the heroine. She was brave, loyal, smart and sassy. She was one of the few Valkyrie that didn't have crazy baggage, and wanted to fall in love with her man. Oh well, on to the next book in the series!!
On to book #12. Lothaire!!! Here I come!!!
My Immortals After Dark Reviews:
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Dark Skye
July 13, 2018
Aidan the Fierce (powerful Berserker) or Declan Chase (hateful human) and Regin the Radiant (half Valkyrie/half Radiant One)
"Come on, Chase."
"Tell me, if I take you to my room and put you in my bed, what do you think would happen?"
"I can draw you a diagram. Hint: I'm slot B, and you're tab A."
"I mean the ultimate outcome. Do you think I'll free you if you please me enough? You're not the first detrus who's tried to whore for her freedom."
"Whore for my freedom?" She laughed again. "What if I just wanted to whore for whoring's shake? Maybe I miss sex with you. Maybe I crave it."
"Wouldn't be surprised. Most immortal females behave like they're in heat."
Her brows rose. "You are the one who taught me about pleasure."
So much love in this book...
So much forgiveness...
If Aiden was Aiden from the beginning , things would have been so much easier. First of all, he would remember and he wouldn'd torture all these poor monsters including his only love. Secondly it would be easier for Regin because she was already in love with Aiden.
So, the fact that Aiden becomes such a monster himself and hates everything supernatural, makes his and Regin's life miserable and it adds a strong complexity factor to their story.
Moreover it was so incredible the fact that although Regin is suffering, she still does not help Aidan/Declan remember because she knows that then she will lose him. So this shows how much she loves him no matter how he looks like and how he behaves.
Concluding Aiden and Declan are different facets of the same person. Nobody overpowers nobody.
What is sweet in the end is that Regin chooses Declan because she reallly cannot stand losing the love of her life again.
"Come on, Chase."
"Tell me, if I take you to my room and put you in my bed, what do you think would happen?"
"I can draw you a diagram. Hint: I'm slot B, and you're tab A."
"I mean the ultimate outcome. Do you think I'll free you if you please me enough? You're not the first detrus who's tried to whore for her freedom."
"Whore for my freedom?" She laughed again. "What if I just wanted to whore for whoring's shake? Maybe I miss sex with you. Maybe I crave it."
"Wouldn't be surprised. Most immortal females behave like they're in heat."
Her brows rose. "You are the one who taught me about pleasure."
So much love in this book...
So much forgiveness...
If Aiden was Aiden from the beginning , things would have been so much easier. First of all, he would remember and he wouldn'd torture all these poor monsters including his only love. Secondly it would be easier for Regin because she was already in love with Aiden.
So, the fact that Aiden becomes such a monster himself and hates everything supernatural, makes his and Regin's life miserable and it adds a strong complexity factor to their story.
Moreover it was so incredible the fact that although Regin is suffering, she still does not help Aidan/Declan remember because she knows that then she will lose him. So this shows how much she loves him no matter how he looks like and how he behaves.
Concluding Aiden and Declan are different facets of the same person. Nobody overpowers nobody.
What is sweet in the end is that Regin chooses Declan because she reallly cannot stand losing the love of her life again.
February 25, 2011
I don't know how much more I can gush about this series, but I'll try. Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark is one of my three favorite paranormal series, the others being J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. I guess the reason I love these series sooo much is because of the things they all have in common--excellent writing displaying the authors' vivid imaginations, fantastic storytelling skills that have you either laughing at the characters' witty remarks, cringing at the bloody gore and gruesomeness, holding your breath when all the action and mayhem breaks out, or sighing in pleasure when the H/h take time out for some swoon-worthy lovin'. But my favorite part of these series is the characters, and in KC's case (okay, in Ward's and Frost's case too), it's the male characters that I adore. Can these women write delicious alphas or what?
In Dreams of a Dark Warrior, I just fell in love with the sexy Viking Aidan the Fierce, and then, slowly but surely, with one of his reincarnations-- the deeply troubled, sexy (and tortured) Celt, Declan Chase. Oh wow oh wow...the mortal berserker, Declan (or Chase, as he's referred to in the story) starts out as this evil guy looking to exterminate the creatures of the Lore (including the heroine, Regin the Radiant) for The Order. He runs this lab on a remote south Pacific island and he and his mortal soldiers have managed to capture dozens of Loreans (Valkyries, vampires, witches, Lykae, berserkers, etc.) to study and to ultimately destroy them...to rid the world of this detrus. This is Declan's whole life--to exact revenge on all immortals for what a group of evil Neoptera did (in a truly horrifying scene) to a teenage Declan and his family. But when he captures and imprisons the beautiful blonde Valkyrie Regin, there's just something about her that makes him...want. And for Regin, it doesn't take long for her to realize that Declan is the reincarnation of her lost love Aidan, who was murdered before they could wed, and reborn time and again (4 or 5? times). But each time Aidan is reborn and Regin reunites with him disaster happens when Aidan regains his 'memories'--and he is doomed to die. Will Regin take the chance again of reuniting with the only man she is destined to love...if it means she will lose him again?
There's not much about this one that I didn't love. It does start out a bit confusing if you haven't read (or remember) the previous book (Demon from the Dark) which has the same basic timeline as this book. These books must be read in order (preferably close together) or you will have no idea what's going on! Anyway, it didn't take long for me to lose myself into KC's wonderful world of the Lore. When I first started reading this series, I'll admit that the Valkyrie annoyed me a bit...but now I just love them! I love their snarky humor...and Nix?...she is one crazy, crafty lady! (Mike Rowe, again?) Her comments, her scenes...they just make me laugh. When is she going to get her own book? And who could possibly be strong enough to compete with her?
KC gives plenty of backstory--of course we know good-time prankster girl Regin from previous books, and for the scarred-inside-and-out hero Declan Chase, KC leaves out no details, so we know exactly where Chase is coming from, we understand his reasoning, and we sympathize with him, even though he's bound and determined to destroy our heroine and her immortal friends (and some enemies). And speaking of friends--I loved the scenes that included her "cellmates": the Fey Natalya and the 'halfling' high-school kid Thad, and her Berserker protector, Brandr. And the 'is-he-evil-or-isn't-he' vampire Lothaire? I want to see more of this evil/funny bad boy!
The heat level? Hot at first--you get to see Aidan and a young Regin in action, but it's brief, but sweet and intense. But after that there's a lull...until Chase and Regin feel their connection...and Regin uses that connection to lure Chase (with the hopes of escaping her prison). The 'Regin-takes-a-bath' scene....simmering hot. And when Regin and Chase finally get together (with some literal mud-slinging and physical violence)--hot! Chapters 53 and 54...ahhh, the heat!
"Yours, everything I am...yours."
What an outstanding escape. If you like stories with plenty of adventure, humor, and some mad lovin', you're going to love this one. And if you haven't read this series yet (what are you waiting for?), please start at the beginning. There's not a bad one in the bunch (IMO), and it won't be long before you're all caught up. These books are like potato chips--you can't read just one--you'll want to consume the whole bag of them! Another winner for Kresley Cole--5 big stars!
P.S.: One teeny, tiny disappointment: I thought we would get to read about all of Aidan's reincarnations and his hookups with Regin. I guess there's only so many pages to go around, and KC did save the best love scenes for Regin and Chase, so I'm not too disappointed.:)
In Dreams of a Dark Warrior, I just fell in love with the sexy Viking Aidan the Fierce, and then, slowly but surely, with one of his reincarnations-- the deeply troubled, sexy (and tortured) Celt, Declan Chase. Oh wow oh wow...the mortal berserker, Declan (or Chase, as he's referred to in the story) starts out as this evil guy looking to exterminate the creatures of the Lore (including the heroine, Regin the Radiant) for The Order. He runs this lab on a remote south Pacific island and he and his mortal soldiers have managed to capture dozens of Loreans (Valkyries, vampires, witches, Lykae, berserkers, etc.) to study and to ultimately destroy them...to rid the world of this detrus. This is Declan's whole life--to exact revenge on all immortals for what a group of evil Neoptera did (in a truly horrifying scene) to a teenage Declan and his family. But when he captures and imprisons the beautiful blonde Valkyrie Regin, there's just something about her that makes him...want. And for Regin, it doesn't take long for her to realize that Declan is the reincarnation of her lost love Aidan, who was murdered before they could wed, and reborn time and again (4 or 5? times). But each time Aidan is reborn and Regin reunites with him disaster happens when Aidan regains his 'memories'--and he is doomed to die. Will Regin take the chance again of reuniting with the only man she is destined to love...if it means she will lose him again?
There's not much about this one that I didn't love. It does start out a bit confusing if you haven't read (or remember) the previous book (Demon from the Dark) which has the same basic timeline as this book. These books must be read in order (preferably close together) or you will have no idea what's going on! Anyway, it didn't take long for me to lose myself into KC's wonderful world of the Lore. When I first started reading this series, I'll admit that the Valkyrie annoyed me a bit...but now I just love them! I love their snarky humor...and Nix?...she is one crazy, crafty lady! (Mike Rowe, again?) Her comments, her scenes...they just make me laugh. When is she going to get her own book? And who could possibly be strong enough to compete with her?
KC gives plenty of backstory--of course we know good-time prankster girl Regin from previous books, and for the scarred-inside-and-out hero Declan Chase, KC leaves out no details, so we know exactly where Chase is coming from, we understand his reasoning, and we sympathize with him, even though he's bound and determined to destroy our heroine and her immortal friends (and some enemies). And speaking of friends--I loved the scenes that included her "cellmates": the Fey Natalya and the 'halfling' high-school kid Thad, and her Berserker protector, Brandr. And the 'is-he-evil-or-isn't-he' vampire Lothaire? I want to see more of this evil/funny bad boy!
The heat level? Hot at first--you get to see Aidan and a young Regin in action, but it's brief, but sweet and intense. But after that there's a lull...until Chase and Regin feel their connection...and Regin uses that connection to lure Chase (with the hopes of escaping her prison). The 'Regin-takes-a-bath' scene....simmering hot. And when Regin and Chase finally get together (with some literal mud-slinging and physical violence)--hot! Chapters 53 and 54...ahhh, the heat!
"Yours, everything I am...yours."
What an outstanding escape. If you like stories with plenty of adventure, humor, and some mad lovin', you're going to love this one. And if you haven't read this series yet (what are you waiting for?), please start at the beginning. There's not a bad one in the bunch (IMO), and it won't be long before you're all caught up. These books are like potato chips--you can't read just one--you'll want to consume the whole bag of them! Another winner for Kresley Cole--5 big stars!
P.S.: One teeny, tiny disappointment: I thought we would get to read about all of Aidan's reincarnations and his hookups with Regin. I guess there's only so many pages to go around, and KC did save the best love scenes for Regin and Chase, so I'm not too disappointed.:)
February 10, 2017
“Aidan from the past: He took her hands in his bloodied, callused ones. “Accept me?” His eyes glowed, his lashes spiked from rain.
Declan in the present: He gripped her nape. “I fuckin love you, Regin!” Rain spiked his lashes as he gazed down at her, commanding her, “Love me back!”
I don't know I'm supposed to love or hate Dreams of a Dark Warrior because of the fact that it is so dramatic and hard to enjoy. This book is about two lost souls try to find each other among hostility, and the hero loses all his memory while he hurts his women destined to be together after years passed. This might be my least favorite of this series, for I didn't like the plot that someone had to forgive when you were hurt so bad and that was unforgivable, even though you loved him.
“Those swords are mine! Touch them and I’ll use ‘em to slice off your nut sack! For a coin purse!”
Regin is one of interesting female characters. She's independent and very virile, and I know that she has tried to find her love reincarnated when two of them were separated many times. But Declan is not a hero that I'd asked for, he's cold-hearted at first I tried so hard to like him. To be honest, I hated him. Though I read the final chapter and they get their HEA, I still hated him. I didn't understand his love for Regin in this life, perhaps I missed something or he's not my cuppa after all.
Yet there are some parts of this book that captured my attention wholly. I'd love to see how the stories turn out after Kresley Cole created one storyline, but divided it for many couples. I was intrigued by this, but sometines it bored me too. Anyway, I still enjoyed Dreams of a Dark Warrior for some reasons I gave it four stars as the others.
“And speaking of females, if I call you by one's name while my fangs are plunged deep in your neck, just run with it.”
https://goo.gl/wNbsH8
December 4, 2013
I can see why people screamed for more Lothaire when they were done with the story. I would have rather read his story than Chase's.
You know how I always say I like the boys to be bad in my books? Well, I do! I loved Slain because he was just bad, bad, bad. But Declan? He was just evil. I didn't like that. He hurt the good beings and the bad beings. He tortured them. Sorry, but I do not feel sorry for you! You missed out on my sympathy after the first torture. Never mind that you'd been torturing beings for 20 years! And people are just supposed to forget? I don't think so! Everybody is like, "hey, you cracked open my chest and played with my innards (while I was awake) but no hard feelings". What? Excuse me, but what happened to the immortals that loved a good fight?
Apparently, abuse is fine – if said person is your mate. Are you kidding me? This was not a healthy way to start a relationship. In a place where grudges can last for years, why were people so quick to embrace their relationship?? If ever there was a nasty case of abusive Stockholm’s Syndrome, this was it! What? Why in the world would she pick the worst Aiden of them all, with all his Mine, Mine, Mine psycho caveman baggage?
I'll admit that KC did a good job writing. I almost forgave him myself. But then I thought back to how he poisoned Regin on purpose. For torture. So much that her eyes bled and her skin bled. We're just supposed to forget that? Because wittle messed up Chasey-poo had a bwad childhood? Yeah right! And he was a drug addict! You need at least a few months before you can even begin to believe anything that he had to say. How unattractive. Go back and read the rest of the books, everybody had a bad childhood. Sheesh. I wasn't buying it. I'm stopping now, because just thinking about the absurdness is getting to me.
I am not a fan of military dramas and this one just reminded me a how a military romance would be. I mean, he did wear a lot of camo.
I liked Regin. I felt like she got the short end of the stick in this book. We get a glimpse of the Valkyrie in her but for the most part I just wanted to hug her and tell her it would be OK. Drop that dude girl! Personally, I voted for her to off him and just wait for a better Aiden to come around in about 250 years. What's 250 years when you've lived for a millennium? She is weak and practically mortal the entire time. We get to witness none of her Valkyrie coolness. Well, once she hopped over her cuffed hands, I thought that was pretty cool, but it didn't really get her anywhere.
Seriously, I am beginning to doubt the awesomeness of the Immortals. Some of the toughest beings in the Lore were taken (and kept) by humans. And no one, not one of them was able to beat them? Whaaatttt?
So, why the two stars? Because of Lothaire, that's why. Seriously, the only time I laughed when I was reading it was during his scenes. He's hilarious. Like when he is about to drink from a guy (Lothaire is a vampire), and he tells the guy that if, while drinking, he calls him a females name to just “run with it”. Hahaha. I laughed out loud, then a few pages later, when I was yet again annoyed, I went back to that part just so I could read and laugh again. I still don't get him or his Endgame. And could it possibly be that Nixie is his?? I don't know, but I will find out!
You know how I always say I like the boys to be bad in my books? Well, I do! I loved Slain because he was just bad, bad, bad. But Declan? He was just evil. I didn't like that. He hurt the good beings and the bad beings. He tortured them. Sorry, but I do not feel sorry for you! You missed out on my sympathy after the first torture. Never mind that you'd been torturing beings for 20 years! And people are just supposed to forget? I don't think so! Everybody is like, "hey, you cracked open my chest and played with my innards (while I was awake) but no hard feelings". What? Excuse me, but what happened to the immortals that loved a good fight?
Apparently, abuse is fine – if said person is your mate. Are you kidding me? This was not a healthy way to start a relationship. In a place where grudges can last for years, why were people so quick to embrace their relationship?? If ever there was a nasty case of abusive Stockholm’s Syndrome, this was it! What? Why in the world would she pick the worst Aiden of them all, with all his Mine, Mine, Mine psycho caveman baggage?
I'll admit that KC did a good job writing. I almost forgave him myself. But then I thought back to how he poisoned Regin on purpose. For torture. So much that her eyes bled and her skin bled. We're just supposed to forget that? Because wittle messed up Chasey-poo had a bwad childhood? Yeah right! And he was a drug addict! You need at least a few months before you can even begin to believe anything that he had to say. How unattractive. Go back and read the rest of the books, everybody had a bad childhood. Sheesh. I wasn't buying it. I'm stopping now, because just thinking about the absurdness is getting to me.
I am not a fan of military dramas and this one just reminded me a how a military romance would be. I mean, he did wear a lot of camo.
I liked Regin. I felt like she got the short end of the stick in this book. We get a glimpse of the Valkyrie in her but for the most part I just wanted to hug her and tell her it would be OK. Drop that dude girl! Personally, I voted for her to off him and just wait for a better Aiden to come around in about 250 years. What's 250 years when you've lived for a millennium? She is weak and practically mortal the entire time. We get to witness none of her Valkyrie coolness. Well, once she hopped over her cuffed hands, I thought that was pretty cool, but it didn't really get her anywhere.
Seriously, I am beginning to doubt the awesomeness of the Immortals. Some of the toughest beings in the Lore were taken (and kept) by humans. And no one, not one of them was able to beat them? Whaaatttt?
So, why the two stars? Because of Lothaire, that's why. Seriously, the only time I laughed when I was reading it was during his scenes. He's hilarious. Like when he is about to drink from a guy (Lothaire is a vampire), and he tells the guy that if, while drinking, he calls him a females name to just “run with it”. Hahaha. I laughed out loud, then a few pages later, when I was yet again annoyed, I went back to that part just so I could read and laugh again. I still don't get him or his Endgame. And could it possibly be that Nixie is his?? I don't know, but I will find out!
April 7, 2021
"Dreams of a Dark Warrior" is the 10:th instalment in the "Immortals After Dark"-series and is about pair of lovers--bound and cursed by fate.Here we follow up from the former book where the cold-blooded Magister Declan Chase has captured Regin the Radiant,never knowing he is her fifth reincarnated lover Aidan the Fierce.While his kind expects him to destroy the valkyrie who haunts his soul,despite his deep-rooted hatred he can`t help but lose his heart to her anyway-I can`t find any words to describe this book.I don`t think i have read anything like it in this genre,and it defenitely rocked my comfort zone in a sense.It was dark,excruciating,heartbreaking...but it was also a soulful,passionate and carnal love-story where one man loved his soulmate so much that he gets reborn everytime to return to her,only to later die in her arms.Its a crushing curse,and i had no idea how Regin ever could find true happy ending with her man.
I fell in love with the valkyrie Regin the Radiant since the beginning.Her brash,loud and direct personality greatly appealed to me and i find her humor so crazy that she made me laugh many times.She is a very kickass heroine who knows what she wants,and i love how she dealed with her captor Declan..knowing he is Aidan the Fierce.There is a very vulnerable part of her that refuses to surrender her heart,and she desperately tried to save Declan`s life..knowing he will die once he remembers his past memories.My heart broke for her yearning,having waited for him for thousands of years only for this version of Declan to capture her.
Magister Declan Chase also known as the Blademan was one complicated hero (i couldn`t resist).He was so dark,scarred,wretched,cold and heartless.Reading about him took a great strain for me,because his pain and loneliness and hatred was so raw that it cut me deep.He had been joining the Order when he was just 17 after his whole family got murdered and tortured by immortals,and he was the only one who survived.Except his mind.In this book i could see how he slowly was losing his mind,and only the nearness of Regin stopped him from fully suscumbing to it.I love how he is drawn to her from first sight..how his mind gets consumed by her,his intense possessivenes and how he loses his heart to her.I came to love Declan with all my heart,all he ever wanted and needed was Regin and once he fully realizes that he belongs to her,he dares her to love him as he is..with scars and all.
This book made me cry so much,laugh so much and swoon so badly that i had to wave my face because it was getting so hot sometimes.The chemistry between Regin and Declan are so BURNING AND HOT AS HELL that i was glued to the pages.I love their every encounter,battle of wills,seduction-every emotions of angst and soul shattering love.IT ALL WAS AMAZING!This was a dark journey but i loved every second of it.Declan and Regin are without doubt one of my favourite couples ever-they are everything together and i will 100% likely re-read this awesome book in the future!
I fell in love with the valkyrie Regin the Radiant since the beginning.Her brash,loud and direct personality greatly appealed to me and i find her humor so crazy that she made me laugh many times.She is a very kickass heroine who knows what she wants,and i love how she dealed with her captor Declan..knowing he is Aidan the Fierce.There is a very vulnerable part of her that refuses to surrender her heart,and she desperately tried to save Declan`s life..knowing he will die once he remembers his past memories.My heart broke for her yearning,having waited for him for thousands of years only for this version of Declan to capture her.
Magister Declan Chase also known as the Blademan was one complicated hero (i couldn`t resist).He was so dark,scarred,wretched,cold and heartless.Reading about him took a great strain for me,because his pain and loneliness and hatred was so raw that it cut me deep.He had been joining the Order when he was just 17 after his whole family got murdered and tortured by immortals,and he was the only one who survived.Except his mind.In this book i could see how he slowly was losing his mind,and only the nearness of Regin stopped him from fully suscumbing to it.I love how he is drawn to her from first sight..how his mind gets consumed by her,his intense possessivenes and how he loses his heart to her.I came to love Declan with all my heart,all he ever wanted and needed was Regin and once he fully realizes that he belongs to her,he dares her to love him as he is..with scars and all.
This book made me cry so much,laugh so much and swoon so badly that i had to wave my face because it was getting so hot sometimes.The chemistry between Regin and Declan are so BURNING AND HOT AS HELL that i was glued to the pages.I love their every encounter,battle of wills,seduction-every emotions of angst and soul shattering love.IT ALL WAS AMAZING!This was a dark journey but i loved every second of it.Declan and Regin are without doubt one of my favourite couples ever-they are everything together and i will 100% likely re-read this awesome book in the future!
October 22, 2023
This series!!! I told you, it's like crack. MOREEEE!!
4.5 stars
It was definitely one of the best ones in the series. I really liked Chase, though Sebastian, Conrad and Cade still remain my favorite. Onto the 12th book, here I come, Lothaire! *swoon*
Regin the Radiant.
"Eyes like amber cast in the sun, skin and hair of firelit gold. Formed to war, courage as none, beauty to behold. You are Reginleit the Radiant."
I've read this prison break scene in three books from 9 different POVs now. I still fucking love it. Ohhh Lothaire, i knew you'd be the key. :D
Lothaire fighting the 'evil bitch'.
Nat and Regin saving MacRieve's ass.
Thad worshipping Lothaire.
Lothaire and Regin teaming up against Chase.
12-14-15
I like all different species in this series but Valkyries and Vampires are my favorite. Regin is my third favorite after Kaderin and Nix, she is so funny and loyal, i love her. I know nothing about Chase, i don't even know WHAT he is but whatever we saw of him in the previous book... not impressed. He is an asshole. Lothaire's book is next which means he'll be around a lot. akjwdkaj
4.5 stars
"P.S. Your middle name’s about to be spelled r-e-g-r-e-t."
It was definitely one of the best ones in the series. I really liked Chase, though Sebastian, Conrad and Cade still remain my favorite. Onto the 12th book, here I come, Lothaire! *swoon*
Regin the Radiant.
"Eyes like amber cast in the sun, skin and hair of firelit gold. Formed to war, courage as none, beauty to behold. You are Reginleit the Radiant."
I've read this prison break scene in three books from 9 different POVs now. I still fucking love it. Ohhh Lothaire, i knew you'd be the key. :D
Lothaire fighting the 'evil bitch'.
Nat and Regin saving MacRieve's ass.
Thad worshipping Lothaire.
Lothaire and Regin teaming up against Chase.
12-14-15
I like all different species in this series but Valkyries and Vampires are my favorite. Regin is my third favorite after Kaderin and Nix, she is so funny and loyal, i love her. I know nothing about Chase, i don't even know WHAT he is but whatever we saw of him in the previous book... not impressed. He is an asshole. Lothaire's book is next which means he'll be around a lot. akjwdkaj
October 21, 2016
I seriously disliked the main guy here. Even though he did get better in the second half, since I didn't warm up to him from the start, I really didn't give a sh*t about his turnabout.
The two stars go to the last 30%, and the narrator for the audiobook, that guy is simply brilliant!
Edit: rating lowered to 1 star after reread. I seriously hate the main guy.
January 16, 2012
Dreams of a Dark Warrior is a story about an undying love that a man had for a woman, a long time ago. Of course, the man is a berserker, a warrior who harnesses the spirit of the lean winter bear--angry, fierce, powerful, and possessive; and the woman is an immortal valkyrie. This is a book about the danger and sacrifice of love. Love causes you to give yourself away, and there is no guarantee that you'll get anything back. But that is what love is.
CS Lewis wisely said:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
Regin had to learn that if she truly wanted to have her love endure and last forever, she had to let it go, and expect no guarantees. The man she was always afraid to give herself truly to--her heart, not just her body--refused to take the little she could give. He kept coming back to her, doomed to die, again and again. Until he was reincarnated as Declan Chase. Declan is the one man who seems least deserving of her love, but he is the one man who is strong enough to demand it, to fight for it with every inch of himself, and to dare her to love him. And he is also her enemy.
This was a hard love story to write, I imagine. I could see that, because, for all its excellence, it was hard to read. Kresley Cole had to start at the beginning, and let the pieces come together until the full story was unfolded. You see the golden, shining perfection of Aidan and Regin’s relationship, and you see how she loses that. And then you see her in the modern times and the man who is the reincarnation of her lost love. Reading this, I just didn't see how it would work out. There’s such a gulf between them. Such a war to be won. I looked hard at Declan, and he was so wretched, so lost. My heart wrenched in my chest for him. Having this yawning hole within him that made him do something horrible to feel whole, to cope. And to have lost his family that way, and to have suffered torture by his inhuman enemies. It gave birth to great hatred within him, fostered by an unjust father figure. Seeing Declan as Regin's reincarnated, long, lost lover seems like a losing proposition. But things always happen for a reason. Even really bad things. Because of what Declan went through, he was the one man reborn of Aidan's soul who was strong enough to fight against the curse that bore down on these star-crossed lovers that always intervened to separate them. I love how he always reminded Regin, "Nothing keeps you from me!" It makes my knees week. Ah, Declan, for such a cold, scary man who wanted and needed nothing but vengeance, you turned out to be a real romantic.
Yes, Dreams of a Dark Lover was a strange, dark love story. But it touched me, because although I don't believe in reincarnation, I do believe love never dies. I believe that love does conquer all. Nothing destroys love. It's eternal. That was a very strong message of this story, and I got it, loud and clear.
As you can see, I loved the romance part of this book, but I also found myself riveted with the story elements. The progression of the situation which arises in Pleasure of a Dark Prince, which promises to turn the Lore on its ear. I am a die-hard fan of this series, and that goes without saying. But I feel increasingly invested with this story with each book, because Cole brings it to a new level. She doesn’t keep me at a comfort zone where I know I’ll get a guaranteed good read. She escalates all the things that make these books such a ball to read, and keeps me yearning to see what she’ll come up with next.
PS. That Lothaire is such a scoundrel! I’m in love!
CS Lewis wisely said:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
Regin had to learn that if she truly wanted to have her love endure and last forever, she had to let it go, and expect no guarantees. The man she was always afraid to give herself truly to--her heart, not just her body--refused to take the little she could give. He kept coming back to her, doomed to die, again and again. Until he was reincarnated as Declan Chase. Declan is the one man who seems least deserving of her love, but he is the one man who is strong enough to demand it, to fight for it with every inch of himself, and to dare her to love him. And he is also her enemy.
This was a hard love story to write, I imagine. I could see that, because, for all its excellence, it was hard to read. Kresley Cole had to start at the beginning, and let the pieces come together until the full story was unfolded. You see the golden, shining perfection of Aidan and Regin’s relationship, and you see how she loses that. And then you see her in the modern times and the man who is the reincarnation of her lost love. Reading this, I just didn't see how it would work out. There’s such a gulf between them. Such a war to be won. I looked hard at Declan, and he was so wretched, so lost. My heart wrenched in my chest for him. Having this yawning hole within him that made him do something horrible to feel whole, to cope. And to have lost his family that way, and to have suffered torture by his inhuman enemies. It gave birth to great hatred within him, fostered by an unjust father figure. Seeing Declan as Regin's reincarnated, long, lost lover seems like a losing proposition. But things always happen for a reason. Even really bad things. Because of what Declan went through, he was the one man reborn of Aidan's soul who was strong enough to fight against the curse that bore down on these star-crossed lovers that always intervened to separate them. I love how he always reminded Regin, "Nothing keeps you from me!" It makes my knees week. Ah, Declan, for such a cold, scary man who wanted and needed nothing but vengeance, you turned out to be a real romantic.
Yes, Dreams of a Dark Lover was a strange, dark love story. But it touched me, because although I don't believe in reincarnation, I do believe love never dies. I believe that love does conquer all. Nothing destroys love. It's eternal. That was a very strong message of this story, and I got it, loud and clear.
As you can see, I loved the romance part of this book, but I also found myself riveted with the story elements. The progression of the situation which arises in Pleasure of a Dark Prince, which promises to turn the Lore on its ear. I am a die-hard fan of this series, and that goes without saying. But I feel increasingly invested with this story with each book, because Cole brings it to a new level. She doesn’t keep me at a comfort zone where I know I’ll get a guaranteed good read. She escalates all the things that make these books such a ball to read, and keeps me yearning to see what she’ll come up with next.
PS. That Lothaire is such a scoundrel! I’m in love!
May 25, 2017
I give this book 5 Dark Stars.
Spoilers
This book is Darker then most the others and I wondered after reading the last book if I would like this one because of the "TORTURE" that Declan did to Regin, But I really did like this book the way Cole wrote it to where there was very little torture coming from Declan he did stab her to kidnap her but he didn't know her then and only once did he torture her with pain poison not the way the other book made it seem like he was tearing her to pieces daily for weeks he was talking to her at those times which helped build their relationship in the book, and he never knew that the order vivisected her ( which its good that the order did it and not him I don't think I could have gotten over that and liked him if he had ordered or been there for that).
Regin the Radiant: was hella funny. She is fun the life of the party type of girl, playful, and wants all eyes on her but she is also loyal, protective of those she loves, she is a fierce warrior as well and she tells you like it is . I loved Regin she was my kind of girl!
Aidan the Fierce for the little bit you get to see of him is very prideful, but he is also loyal keeping his vow not to touch another woman after finding Regin I liked what you get to see of him but of course he dies. Then he is reincarnated 4 times. Declan Chase being the last.
Declan Chase: He has had a hard knock life and is messed up! He is consumed with hate and rage. He is a druggy, and he has been Tortured and abused and had his parents and brother killed by immortals fueling his hate for them. He joins The Order at age 17 where is is brainwashed and trained hard how to hunt and kill all immortals. Once he gets past all his brainwash blind way of thinking you can see the good in him too like a dark beauty, he is Fierce, loyal, protective, smart,a skilled hunter and fighter, and he doesn't give up.
Here are some of my fav quotes from the book:
"I finally understand what a dickie-do is. Your gut does stick out more than your dickie do."
"Nothing keeps me from you. Nothing! " He cupped her face, pulling her up to him. "Tell me that you belong to me."
"Let's do this! Rock out with your cocks out!"
She narrowed her gaze. "Did the big bad Blademan lose control of his emotions last night?" Slap. "Did seeing me like that compwetely bwake your wittle heart?" Backhand. "Did you cry man tears?"
He flipped her to her back, rising above her. "Cried over you like a wee babe." He pinned her hands over her head. "I can feel, Regin. And it killed me to see you like that!" His eyes began to glow. "Which really pissed me off, Valkyrie. Because any last hope that I could live without you vanished."
"Aye, it's me. I will never be your perfect Viking, Regin! I've made unforgivable mistakes. I've no family or friends, and my men hold no love for me. I'm scarred inside and out. And I'm bloody askin' for you anyway!"
"Look at you, my beautiful Regin. You think I'd surrender you to another? You are mine." He fisted his hand in her hair, yanking her up to him. "Say my name, Regin."
She breathed, "Declan."
He leaned forward to suck her earlobe. "I'm goin' to fuck you til you scream it. Fuck you till we lose count."
"And I never wanted Aidan," she whispered, "like I want you."
"Nut up or shut up, Luce. I'm tired of looking at these assholes, tired of listening to them. Let's do this."
"Should be obvious what this was, no? If you're still confused, I can draw you a diagram."
Her eyes went wide, her hand fisting in the mud beside her bed of grass.
"Hint: slot B is delicious-"
I enjoyed the ending and the peek into their future. I thought I would hate this book but I loved it she did a great job writing it and giving your a different kind of love story
Spoilers
This book is Darker then most the others and I wondered after reading the last book if I would like this one because of the "TORTURE" that Declan did to Regin, But I really did like this book the way Cole wrote it to where there was very little torture coming from Declan he did stab her to kidnap her but he didn't know her then and only once did he torture her with pain poison not the way the other book made it seem like he was tearing her to pieces daily for weeks he was talking to her at those times which helped build their relationship in the book, and he never knew that the order vivisected her ( which its good that the order did it and not him I don't think I could have gotten over that and liked him if he had ordered or been there for that).
Regin the Radiant: was hella funny. She is fun the life of the party type of girl, playful, and wants all eyes on her but she is also loyal, protective of those she loves, she is a fierce warrior as well and she tells you like it is . I loved Regin she was my kind of girl!
Aidan the Fierce for the little bit you get to see of him is very prideful, but he is also loyal keeping his vow not to touch another woman after finding Regin I liked what you get to see of him but of course he dies. Then he is reincarnated 4 times. Declan Chase being the last.
Declan Chase: He has had a hard knock life and is messed up! He is consumed with hate and rage. He is a druggy, and he has been Tortured and abused and had his parents and brother killed by immortals fueling his hate for them. He joins The Order at age 17 where is is brainwashed and trained hard how to hunt and kill all immortals. Once he gets past all his brainwash blind way of thinking you can see the good in him too like a dark beauty, he is Fierce, loyal, protective, smart,a skilled hunter and fighter, and he doesn't give up.
Here are some of my fav quotes from the book:
"I finally understand what a dickie-do is. Your gut does stick out more than your dickie do."
"Nothing keeps me from you. Nothing! " He cupped her face, pulling her up to him. "Tell me that you belong to me."
"Let's do this! Rock out with your cocks out!"
She narrowed her gaze. "Did the big bad Blademan lose control of his emotions last night?" Slap. "Did seeing me like that compwetely bwake your wittle heart?" Backhand. "Did you cry man tears?"
He flipped her to her back, rising above her. "Cried over you like a wee babe." He pinned her hands over her head. "I can feel, Regin. And it killed me to see you like that!" His eyes began to glow. "Which really pissed me off, Valkyrie. Because any last hope that I could live without you vanished."
"Aye, it's me. I will never be your perfect Viking, Regin! I've made unforgivable mistakes. I've no family or friends, and my men hold no love for me. I'm scarred inside and out. And I'm bloody askin' for you anyway!"
"Look at you, my beautiful Regin. You think I'd surrender you to another? You are mine." He fisted his hand in her hair, yanking her up to him. "Say my name, Regin."
She breathed, "Declan."
He leaned forward to suck her earlobe. "I'm goin' to fuck you til you scream it. Fuck you till we lose count."
"And I never wanted Aidan," she whispered, "like I want you."
"Nut up or shut up, Luce. I'm tired of looking at these assholes, tired of listening to them. Let's do this."
"Should be obvious what this was, no? If you're still confused, I can draw you a diagram."
Her eyes went wide, her hand fisting in the mud beside her bed of grass.
"Hint: slot B is delicious-"
I enjoyed the ending and the peek into their future. I thought I would hate this book but I loved it she did a great job writing it and giving your a different kind of love story
March 19, 2024
I mean frankly why does this exist? This book was way too fuckin metal for me bro but also he sucked and there was so little groveling which was the only reason—besides the fact that I’ve read nine of these fucking books and I can’t skip one—I was even remotely interested. I listened to this at 3.0x speed and if I could’ve gone faster physically in the app I totally would have. It was also way too long and boring at the end.
I was so excited for Regin’s book bc she was such a bad bitch but come on her entire spirit and light were broken in part by his actions and negligence. He tortured her, her friends, and countless others and yet by the end we were supposed to feel sorry for him more than her??? It also took him 80% of the book to even start to act right. I’m all for revenge but this went so far beyond justification. I loved Kiss of a Demon King and think the enemies to lovers and revenge were executed so well there. Here there was barely growth and everything was imbalanced.
I can feel sympathy to an extent but literally the entire ending was everyone just being like bro what the fuck and Regin being like ✨but he had a tragic backstory✨ so it’s fine. He basically only felt remorse for things that impacted Regin and he did a shit ton more than just fuck her over. Several (basically all) heroes in this series are pretty fucked up but this was a new, very detailed low. Maybe this is hypocritical bc I could forgive them for shit but I sure don’t care.
I think there was still a way to frame his character as the tortured brainwashed guy, without making him so complicit in her utter destruction. The vivisection took it way too fucking far. I mean he was an idiot to think that they wouldn’t hurt her especially after he’d made enemies who KNEW he was fascinated with her??? Yeah that’s grade A hero material 4 sure. He had the opportunity to protect her but he didn’t even think about playing a few steps ahead. It occurred too late in the book for the whole brainwashed thing to still be a factor in his complete disregard for her safety.
If he had to be held back and restrained while it was happening, that would’ve been equally as heartbreaking, but at least not that fucking atrocious. She had to suffer that invasion TWICE. She admitted really fucking bad details that I absolutely didn’t need (truly they’re living in my head in the worst way) and that had like no impact on him. He had the audacity to be like “but I’ve felt pain too!” I physically skipped the entire chapter and a half (around 53-56%) in my audiobook and it was still so much to take in.
He also didn’t fucking murder the guy who commanded the vivisection. He let him get away bc he still viewed him as a “father figure.” Lothaire better rip his dick off and serve him up spaghetti and meatballs in his book. I also wanted to see Dixon get drawn and quartered by Mr. Centaur on the page if we can see Regin be fucking sawed into. In my opinion, the villains suffered a fraction of what they deserved and for a book this fucking HEAVY that’s just not acceptable.
To top it all off, he actively wanted to forget what he did to her bc he couldn’t handle the guilt. Idk what to say besides HANDLE IT. BATHE IN IT. TAKE A SHOT OF IT. Fucking coward. I think I could’ve processed the torture with time but I will never be able to accept the lack of groveling and how the end revolves around pitying him.
And it gets worse! We don’t even get Aiden back??? Like she couldn’t love Aiden but she could love this fucker? My goddamn vote is for the fucking pirate. That was my one saving grace and I got absolutely fucked over. Like please someone explain how she loved this bastard but none of the rest?? They had like zero scenes that fostered any sort of love. Like what kind of Stockholm syndrome is this One Direction didn’t prepare me!!! The past three books have gotten progressively darker, which is not a turn I needed. Most of the time it’s the women who are taking the brunt of the suffering. Poor Malkom tho deserved so much better too.
And when Nyx was like we didn’t intervene on your torture bc Regin didn’t want perfect??? Good god make him snore or something not commit genocide???? And there are like four other torture facilities that weren’t blown up I think??? Joy.
Note: I generally don’t go out and read books that I know I’ll have a 90% chance of hating. However, I am reading the entire series so I wasn’t going to skip it, and the beginning was good enough to where I thought it would actually be tolerable but by 50% it was legit too much. This book also isn’t a recent release so I’ve gotta assume I haven’t impacted sales in any way, shape, or form lol.
I was so excited for Regin’s book bc she was such a bad bitch but come on her entire spirit and light were broken in part by his actions and negligence. He tortured her, her friends, and countless others and yet by the end we were supposed to feel sorry for him more than her??? It also took him 80% of the book to even start to act right. I’m all for revenge but this went so far beyond justification. I loved Kiss of a Demon King and think the enemies to lovers and revenge were executed so well there. Here there was barely growth and everything was imbalanced.
I can feel sympathy to an extent but literally the entire ending was everyone just being like bro what the fuck and Regin being like ✨but he had a tragic backstory✨ so it’s fine. He basically only felt remorse for things that impacted Regin and he did a shit ton more than just fuck her over. Several (basically all) heroes in this series are pretty fucked up but this was a new, very detailed low. Maybe this is hypocritical bc I could forgive them for shit but I sure don’t care.
I think there was still a way to frame his character as the tortured brainwashed guy, without making him so complicit in her utter destruction. The vivisection took it way too fucking far. I mean he was an idiot to think that they wouldn’t hurt her especially after he’d made enemies who KNEW he was fascinated with her??? Yeah that’s grade A hero material 4 sure. He had the opportunity to protect her but he didn’t even think about playing a few steps ahead. It occurred too late in the book for the whole brainwashed thing to still be a factor in his complete disregard for her safety.
If he had to be held back and restrained while it was happening, that would’ve been equally as heartbreaking, but at least not that fucking atrocious. She had to suffer that invasion TWICE. She admitted really fucking bad details that I absolutely didn’t need (truly they’re living in my head in the worst way) and that had like no impact on him. He had the audacity to be like “but I’ve felt pain too!” I physically skipped the entire chapter and a half (around 53-56%) in my audiobook and it was still so much to take in.
He also didn’t fucking murder the guy who commanded the vivisection. He let him get away bc he still viewed him as a “father figure.” Lothaire better rip his dick off and serve him up spaghetti and meatballs in his book. I also wanted to see Dixon get drawn and quartered by Mr. Centaur on the page if we can see Regin be fucking sawed into. In my opinion, the villains suffered a fraction of what they deserved and for a book this fucking HEAVY that’s just not acceptable.
To top it all off, he actively wanted to forget what he did to her bc he couldn’t handle the guilt. Idk what to say besides HANDLE IT. BATHE IN IT. TAKE A SHOT OF IT. Fucking coward. I think I could’ve processed the torture with time but I will never be able to accept the lack of groveling and how the end revolves around pitying him.
And it gets worse! We don’t even get Aiden back??? Like she couldn’t love Aiden but she could love this fucker? My goddamn vote is for the fucking pirate. That was my one saving grace and I got absolutely fucked over. Like please someone explain how she loved this bastard but none of the rest?? They had like zero scenes that fostered any sort of love. Like what kind of Stockholm syndrome is this One Direction didn’t prepare me!!! The past three books have gotten progressively darker, which is not a turn I needed. Most of the time it’s the women who are taking the brunt of the suffering. Poor Malkom tho deserved so much better too.
And when Nyx was like we didn’t intervene on your torture bc Regin didn’t want perfect??? Good god make him snore or something not commit genocide???? And there are like four other torture facilities that weren’t blown up I think??? Joy.
Note: I generally don’t go out and read books that I know I’ll have a 90% chance of hating. However, I am reading the entire series so I wasn’t going to skip it, and the beginning was good enough to where I thought it would actually be tolerable but by 50% it was legit too much. This book also isn’t a recent release so I’ve gotta assume I haven’t impacted sales in any way, shape, or form lol.
February 23, 2011
Ok folks, seriously, this is book 11. You are either already reading the series and you have plans to read book 11 regardless of what I say or you already read part of the series, thought it stunk, and will never get to book 11; or you've never touched this series and the status of book 11 is irrelevant.
Following my logic? Good since I have no clue what I just wrote.
Anyhow, this series is absolutely, without a doubt, one of my favorites. IN ADDITION, here is the biggie, and a rarity, the series gets better after each book. I’m usually so bored with a series after, oh lets say, book 3 and move on to greener pastures (what a horrible saying). However, with the IAD series, I can’t stop reading!
So, here is my advice that you never asked for- If you’ve never, ever, read this series, go and grab book 1. It’s pretty good. Not the best but pretty good. After you finish that book and find that you enjoyed it, hurry up and read book 2. You’ll say to yourself “wow, that was better than book 1” and then remember my words, “the series gets better after each book.” So, if you are liking the first few books, imagine how you’ll love the later books.
Oh and count yourself lucky that you can grab book 1 through 11 all at once and you don’t have to wait forever and a day. What are you waiting for, go, go and grab the first book, go now!
Following my logic? Good since I have no clue what I just wrote.
Anyhow, this series is absolutely, without a doubt, one of my favorites. IN ADDITION, here is the biggie, and a rarity, the series gets better after each book. I’m usually so bored with a series after, oh lets say, book 3 and move on to greener pastures (what a horrible saying). However, with the IAD series, I can’t stop reading!
So, here is my advice that you never asked for- If you’ve never, ever, read this series, go and grab book 1. It’s pretty good. Not the best but pretty good. After you finish that book and find that you enjoyed it, hurry up and read book 2. You’ll say to yourself “wow, that was better than book 1” and then remember my words, “the series gets better after each book.” So, if you are liking the first few books, imagine how you’ll love the later books.
Oh and count yourself lucky that you can grab book 1 through 11 all at once and you don’t have to wait forever and a day. What are you waiting for, go, go and grab the first book, go now!
Read
February 14, 2016This is the first time I honestly don't know how to rate a book!
Part of me wants to give this story ONE star, while another part of me wants to give it FIVE stars because of the emotions it evoked in me. I will say the hero did redeem himself (mostly) but he will NEVER be a favorite of mine.
Full review and rating to come
Part of me wants to give this story ONE star, while another part of me wants to give it FIVE stars because of the emotions it evoked in me. I will say the hero did redeem himself (mostly) but he will NEVER be a favorite of mine.
Full review and rating to come
February 19, 2011
MINOR SPOILERS
Dreams of a Dark Warrior is the 11th instalment of the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole and let me tell you, this girl knows how to write! I’ve always said that Cole writes amazing prologues and Dreams opens up with an epic one! It’s 43 pages long and is probably one of my favourite parts of the book!
I will admit I wasn’t feeling Aiden that much. He reminded me of Lachlain from A Hunger Like No Other. He’s arrogant, possessive and gets pissy when things don’t go his way. But there were moments where I found myself almost...liking him. Out of all of his reincarnations, the original Aiden was my favourite, though Gabriel the Spanish pirate sounded promising.
Declan Chase pissed the hell out of me! I wondered how Cole could convince readers to fall for a guy who tortures his heroine in the previous book. I hated his guts and still did when reading the first part of the book! But then something miraculous happened and I started feeling sorry for the guy. That’s pretty epic since I was hellbent on thrashing the guy. In the end, Chase proved himself and I loved that fact that Reege loved Chase, not Aiden.
Regin is my girl! I absolutely love her fun-loving, prankster attitude. But in her book, we got to see a darker side of her where she suffers alongside Chase. The part when she starts crying in Chase’s arms is so sad. She realizes that it is not Chase who was forever cursed, but she was. To lose the love of your life over and over again is a hard pill to swallow. But somehow, Reege persevered.
I loved the new characters! Brandr was a great second-in-command! I hope he gets a book! Mmm berserkers! Also, Natalya was freaking hilarious playing cougar with Thad. This line is cracked me up: “Face it, Nat, this is one tiger who will never be jumping through your flaming hoop-“
But my favourite character of this book is...yup, you guessed it! LOTHAIRE! He stole the show for me! I loved how confident and nonchalant he was during the entire thing. The dude is seriously bad ass and I really hope his HEA is NOT with that bitch La Dorada! I loved the part where the six of them are trekking through the mountains and the dudes are just bro-ing down and giving Chase advice on how to win Regin’s heart. Lothie’s words: “Live by the sword, love by the sword.” No doubt Lothie’s got a big sword to love with!
And did anyone else catch the fact that Uilleam has a mate now? Of course I already knew that because he is MATED TO ME! I wonder when Cole is going to write a book about us?
In the end, the entire gang showed up! Carrow, Malkom, Lucia and Nix! Love them all to bits! Now if only Kad and Sebastian came by to say hi, it would have been perfect!
Dreams ended so perfectly. So satisfying yet made me wish I had Loth’s book already! Cole, you are my crack! I’m so addicted, I can’t stop!!
Dreams of a Dark Warrior is the 11th instalment of the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole and let me tell you, this girl knows how to write! I’ve always said that Cole writes amazing prologues and Dreams opens up with an epic one! It’s 43 pages long and is probably one of my favourite parts of the book!
I will admit I wasn’t feeling Aiden that much. He reminded me of Lachlain from A Hunger Like No Other. He’s arrogant, possessive and gets pissy when things don’t go his way. But there were moments where I found myself almost...liking him. Out of all of his reincarnations, the original Aiden was my favourite, though Gabriel the Spanish pirate sounded promising.
Declan Chase pissed the hell out of me! I wondered how Cole could convince readers to fall for a guy who tortures his heroine in the previous book. I hated his guts and still did when reading the first part of the book! But then something miraculous happened and I started feeling sorry for the guy. That’s pretty epic since I was hellbent on thrashing the guy. In the end, Chase proved himself and I loved that fact that Reege loved Chase, not Aiden.
Regin is my girl! I absolutely love her fun-loving, prankster attitude. But in her book, we got to see a darker side of her where she suffers alongside Chase. The part when she starts crying in Chase’s arms is so sad. She realizes that it is not Chase who was forever cursed, but she was. To lose the love of your life over and over again is a hard pill to swallow. But somehow, Reege persevered.
I loved the new characters! Brandr was a great second-in-command! I hope he gets a book! Mmm berserkers! Also, Natalya was freaking hilarious playing cougar with Thad. This line is cracked me up: “Face it, Nat, this is one tiger who will never be jumping through your flaming hoop-“
But my favourite character of this book is...yup, you guessed it! LOTHAIRE! He stole the show for me! I loved how confident and nonchalant he was during the entire thing. The dude is seriously bad ass and I really hope his HEA is NOT with that bitch La Dorada! I loved the part where the six of them are trekking through the mountains and the dudes are just bro-ing down and giving Chase advice on how to win Regin’s heart. Lothie’s words: “Live by the sword, love by the sword.” No doubt Lothie’s got a big sword to love with!
And did anyone else catch the fact that Uilleam has a mate now? Of course I already knew that because he is MATED TO ME! I wonder when Cole is going to write a book about us?
In the end, the entire gang showed up! Carrow, Malkom, Lucia and Nix! Love them all to bits! Now if only Kad and Sebastian came by to say hi, it would have been perfect!
Dreams ended so perfectly. So satisfying yet made me wish I had Loth’s book already! Cole, you are my crack! I’m so addicted, I can’t stop!!
January 31, 2022
Regin the Radiant meets Berserker Aidan the Fierce, when she is still very young, looking for rest and food before going to her sister's aid she doesn't expect for him to lay claim to her. Aiden immediately recognises Regin as his mate, determined to have her and protect her, he knows he must wait until she is grown to make her his bride.
Aiden cannot truly claim her until he has finished his task and achieved immortality. But after years of waiting and a near miss on the battlefield he refuses to wait any longer and takes Regin to bed (once she's reached maturity/immortality). Consequently, Aidan dies, and is reincarnated over and over again with no memory of his former lives, or his mate. Regin in turn is doomed to spend lifetimes finding her male, only to lose him every time they reconnect and he begins to remember who she is. Each kiss from her lips brings him closer to death, tearing her in two.
Aidan's most recent reincarnation is that of Declan Chase, a cruel member of The Order, a militant group looking to exterminate immortals. Declan is an epic arsehole, feared by those who serve under him and vicious in his treatment of members of the Lore. He spends his days capturing and torturing immortals, in order to exact revenge for the murder of his family by vampires, when he was young. When he comes across and then captures Regin he is disgusted by the attraction he feels for her, yet he cannot keep away.
Regin is funny and kickass, she had me smiling a fair bit. A strong character - she defo rocks.
Now Declan. This is a re-read and still I found myself conflicted when it came to Declan. I loved Aidan, yet Declan - oh boy there were times I really hated him. Sure he feels truly remorseful for all he has done, but still the anguish and torture Regin suffered due to him - it still has me wincing. That being said the way in which the author wrote this meant I couldn't help but continue reading and enjoy doing so.
I really liked the ending and the peek into Regin's and Declan's future.
Also enjoyed Nix in this. Can we now get Nix's book - I really don't want to wait anymore!
Aiden cannot truly claim her until he has finished his task and achieved immortality. But after years of waiting and a near miss on the battlefield he refuses to wait any longer and takes Regin to bed (once she's reached maturity/immortality). Consequently, Aidan dies, and is reincarnated over and over again with no memory of his former lives, or his mate. Regin in turn is doomed to spend lifetimes finding her male, only to lose him every time they reconnect and he begins to remember who she is. Each kiss from her lips brings him closer to death, tearing her in two.
Aidan's most recent reincarnation is that of Declan Chase, a cruel member of The Order, a militant group looking to exterminate immortals. Declan is an epic arsehole, feared by those who serve under him and vicious in his treatment of members of the Lore. He spends his days capturing and torturing immortals, in order to exact revenge for the murder of his family by vampires, when he was young. When he comes across and then captures Regin he is disgusted by the attraction he feels for her, yet he cannot keep away.
Regin is funny and kickass, she had me smiling a fair bit. A strong character - she defo rocks.
Now Declan. This is a re-read and still I found myself conflicted when it came to Declan. I loved Aidan, yet Declan - oh boy there were times I really hated him. Sure he feels truly remorseful for all he has done, but still the anguish and torture Regin suffered due to him - it still has me wincing. That being said the way in which the author wrote this meant I couldn't help but continue reading and enjoy doing so.
I really liked the ending and the peek into Regin's and Declan's future.
Also enjoyed Nix in this. Can we now get Nix's book - I really don't want to wait anymore!
April 13, 2011
Wow, what a ride! I loved this book. I stayed up till 6 am just reading. Loved every page. Something funny happens to me with this series, every time a pick a book in it I get surprised because it makes me remember why I love this series so much. As too much time passes between one book and the next I tend to forget the reasons that made me adored this series but I only need to read one book in it to find myself crazy about it all over again.
At first it was all about the world building. I had never read about a world like this one where all the supernatural species coexist together and have so many rules. I love the paranormal aspect of this series. But now after 11 books it's more than that, it's about the characters as well. I just love them all. It doesn't matter how much time goes by, it takes me one page of a new book to remember it all. This is definitely one of the best and more complex paranormal series out there, there's just nothing wrong with it.
In this installment we get to read about a couple who deserved a book long time ago. Finally we read Regin the Radiant's & Aidan the Fierce's HEA. This book was just amazing. I loved to see how the bad guy was not really what it seemed and how love can conquer it all, not even time will get in between this amazing couple.
An amazing read, go buy your copy guys! It's so worth it.
At first it was all about the world building. I had never read about a world like this one where all the supernatural species coexist together and have so many rules. I love the paranormal aspect of this series. But now after 11 books it's more than that, it's about the characters as well. I just love them all. It doesn't matter how much time goes by, it takes me one page of a new book to remember it all. This is definitely one of the best and more complex paranormal series out there, there's just nothing wrong with it.
In this installment we get to read about a couple who deserved a book long time ago. Finally we read Regin the Radiant's & Aidan the Fierce's HEA. This book was just amazing. I loved to see how the bad guy was not really what it seemed and how love can conquer it all, not even time will get in between this amazing couple.
An amazing read, go buy your copy guys! It's so worth it.
March 11, 2023
“Can you see me, see the man that I am? Accept me, Regin, because I’m holding’ on to nothin’ but you.”
This was paranormal romance excellency. Kresley Cole can do no wrong.
I don’t even know how to review this series. I’m just in love with it. All of it.
This was paranormal romance excellency. Kresley Cole can do no wrong.
I don’t even know how to review this series. I’m just in love with it. All of it.
February 17, 2011
I loved this book. Coming from Demon from the Dark to this one, I was really worried that Kresley Cole, one of my writing goddesses, wouldn't be able to make me like Aidan, let alone, LOVE him. Well, I don't love Aidan...but I do love Declan. That distinction is what makes this book.
After the vivisection of Regin we saw in Demon from the Dark, I kept waiting to see how KC brought us back from that...and wow, the circumstances were not what they seemed.
Declan Chase was such a tortured hero...and a believable one. I'm not normally a fan of the tortured hero-I can honestly blame that on Sherrilyn Kenyon, hers are so above and beyond tortured that it's not even believable or likeable. But this was more of a realistic tortured hero. Declan Chase had every reason in the world to be angry, hard and bitter.
But watching Regin drag him out of his deadened, drug-addict self was amazing.
I can't give too much away as this just released today, but this incarnation of Aidan the Fierce won my heart-much more so than her Spanish Pirate, or French Knight versions (you'll see).
This book was much more action-packed than most...maybe Lucia and Garreth's book can rival this one for action, but this book was just, just, well, I've got no words. The sex doesn't happen til late in the story, but you don't miss it. I'm only mentioning it at all because I saw a review make a big deal about it. Honestly, with everything going on in this book, you don't miss it.
Normally I might point out the few issues I had with certain unresolved threads in the storyline, but knowing both Nix (Phenix) and Kresley Cole, and with Lothaire's position a bit more strengthened, I have no problem because I know these issues and plot threads will become more IAD books :)
Also, Uilleam MacRieve (either Hot or Hotter, still not sure which twin is which) may have met his mate, although we don't know her yet, but it was hinted at...and I believe it. And Lothaire is just awesome. I confess I never much cared for him or his book (which releases early 2012), but I am now fully intrigued and I even kind of like him.
So, Declan was not only able to turn around his intense hatred of immortals, he was able to realize that he could love Regin without giving up any parts of himself. Regin was able to understand some important things about her relationship with Aidan (and his reincarnates) vs. her relationship with Declan. And Nixie, our favorite ever knowing Valkyrie, threw a few things out there too-we see her a bit more lucid than we usually do. Oh, and what happened to Bertril, her bat? anyone?
After the vivisection of Regin we saw in Demon from the Dark, I kept waiting to see how KC brought us back from that...and wow, the circumstances were not what they seemed.
Declan Chase was such a tortured hero...and a believable one. I'm not normally a fan of the tortured hero-I can honestly blame that on Sherrilyn Kenyon, hers are so above and beyond tortured that it's not even believable or likeable. But this was more of a realistic tortured hero. Declan Chase had every reason in the world to be angry, hard and bitter.
But watching Regin drag him out of his deadened, drug-addict self was amazing.
I can't give too much away as this just released today, but this incarnation of Aidan the Fierce won my heart-much more so than her Spanish Pirate, or French Knight versions (you'll see).
This book was much more action-packed than most...maybe Lucia and Garreth's book can rival this one for action, but this book was just, just, well, I've got no words. The sex doesn't happen til late in the story, but you don't miss it. I'm only mentioning it at all because I saw a review make a big deal about it. Honestly, with everything going on in this book, you don't miss it.
Normally I might point out the few issues I had with certain unresolved threads in the storyline, but knowing both Nix (Phenix) and Kresley Cole, and with Lothaire's position a bit more strengthened, I have no problem because I know these issues and plot threads will become more IAD books :)
Also, Uilleam MacRieve (either Hot or Hotter, still not sure which twin is which) may have met his mate, although we don't know her yet, but it was hinted at...and I believe it. And Lothaire is just awesome. I confess I never much cared for him or his book (which releases early 2012), but I am now fully intrigued and I even kind of like him.
So, Declan was not only able to turn around his intense hatred of immortals, he was able to realize that he could love Regin without giving up any parts of himself. Regin was able to understand some important things about her relationship with Aidan (and his reincarnates) vs. her relationship with Declan. And Nixie, our favorite ever knowing Valkyrie, threw a few things out there too-we see her a bit more lucid than we usually do. Oh, and what happened to Bertril, her bat? anyone?
October 30, 2016
If I had to describe ALL of the Immortals After Dark books in one word, that word would be 'EPIC'! I am blowing through this series at superhuman [for me!] speed and regret NOTHING but the fact that I am nearing the end. What do I read once I am done?? Kresley Cole created a world I don't ever want to leave. So far, not one installment of this amazing series has let me down. Each book is like a new exotic dish I am fortunate enough to try and it's just as decadent as the one before it but with it's own unique taste.
I know I keep repeating myself but this author's storytelling skills are absolutely brilliant. I am fully invested in these stories and the amount of emotions she manages to evoke is simply mind blowing! And her imagination ... GAH! ... it truly is something to behold! Not to mention, I am completely submerged in the story and 90% of the time forget I am even reading fantasy. I hope this makes sense because I am not dissing the fantasy genre but simply stating the fact that those who aren't even fans of the genre would most likely enjoy this series because of the way it's written.
If you crave something different that's exceptionally well written, emotional, adventurous, sexy, witty and just overall pure entertainment, get on board Immortals After Dark train and enjoy the ride!
Cheers!
P.S. The prologue & epilogue in this book deserve their own 5 star rating! GAH!
I know I keep repeating myself but this author's storytelling skills are absolutely brilliant. I am fully invested in these stories and the amount of emotions she manages to evoke is simply mind blowing! And her imagination ... GAH! ... it truly is something to behold! Not to mention, I am completely submerged in the story and 90% of the time forget I am even reading fantasy. I hope this makes sense because I am not dissing the fantasy genre but simply stating the fact that those who aren't even fans of the genre would most likely enjoy this series because of the way it's written.
If you crave something different that's exceptionally well written, emotional, adventurous, sexy, witty and just overall pure entertainment, get on board Immortals After Dark train and enjoy the ride!
Cheers!
P.S. The prologue & epilogue in this book deserve their own 5 star rating! GAH!
February 26, 2011
Actually: 3,5 stars, but I'm going to bump it up to 4 for entertainment value.
Dreams if a Dark Warrior is the eleventh in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole and this time it's Regin the Radiant- Valkyrie, notorious swords(wo)man and prankster- battling the odds to find true love. It's a long, hard road, as her fated one turns out to be a human with a vehement hate against anything supernatural.
This book started out great. Regin is smart and funny and in combination with Nïx, she's downright hilarious. There were many laugh out loud moments in the first 300 pages. In contrast, our hero Declan Chase is the brooding, sulking type. His past and the way it influences his future is really dark and the book's intensity level was upped a notch because of it. I really enjoyed the first part of the book because of the high level of tension and the conflicting thoughts and wide variety of emotions.
Sadly though, it went wayward after about 350 pages. The story was all over the place while the plot stopped making sense. There was a track through the wilderness, which is probably the fourth time something similar happens in the series. Adding to the feelings of repetition is the fact that to me all Cole's women start to sound alike. They have a very distinct voice in the beginning of their books, but once they start accepting their mate and start softening up, their inner voices are interchangeable. It could have been Carrow or Lucia talking, I didn't see Regin anymore.
On top of that I was disappointed by the fact that Declan Chase got turned into one of Cole's Scottish werewolves. In the beginning of the story he's a human from Northern Ireland and at the end he talks in monosyllables, growls a lot and throws a 'ken' and an 'aye' in for good measure. Why? I liked Declan just the way he was.
So unfortunately, to me, the highlights of the last part of the book wasn't the happy couple, but a plotting vampire and a mysterious but adorable high school kid. I still can't see why Lothaire - the Enemy of the Old- is supposed to be so scary, but he is funny as hell. Thad was adorable and I loved his interactions with 'mister Lothaire'.
Thad and Lothaire saved the book from a lower rating. I hope the next book is less lengthy and more focused, so that Cole can keep doing what she's good at: entertain.
Dreams if a Dark Warrior is the eleventh in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole and this time it's Regin the Radiant- Valkyrie, notorious swords(wo)man and prankster- battling the odds to find true love. It's a long, hard road, as her fated one turns out to be a human with a vehement hate against anything supernatural.
This book started out great. Regin is smart and funny and in combination with Nïx, she's downright hilarious. There were many laugh out loud moments in the first 300 pages. In contrast, our hero Declan Chase is the brooding, sulking type. His past and the way it influences his future is really dark and the book's intensity level was upped a notch because of it. I really enjoyed the first part of the book because of the high level of tension and the conflicting thoughts and wide variety of emotions.
Sadly though, it went wayward after about 350 pages. The story was all over the place while the plot stopped making sense. There was a track through the wilderness, which is probably the fourth time something similar happens in the series. Adding to the feelings of repetition is the fact that to me all Cole's women start to sound alike. They have a very distinct voice in the beginning of their books, but once they start accepting their mate and start softening up, their inner voices are interchangeable. It could have been Carrow or Lucia talking, I didn't see Regin anymore.
On top of that I was disappointed by the fact that Declan Chase got turned into one of Cole's Scottish werewolves. In the beginning of the story he's a human from Northern Ireland and at the end he talks in monosyllables, growls a lot and throws a 'ken' and an 'aye' in for good measure. Why? I liked Declan just the way he was.
So unfortunately, to me, the highlights of the last part of the book wasn't the happy couple, but a plotting vampire and a mysterious but adorable high school kid. I still can't see why Lothaire - the Enemy of the Old- is supposed to be so scary, but he is funny as hell. Thad was adorable and I loved his interactions with 'mister Lothaire'.
Thad and Lothaire saved the book from a lower rating. I hope the next book is less lengthy and more focused, so that Cole can keep doing what she's good at: entertain.
Want to read
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February 18, 2011
At last! Regin and her Berserker's story! I LOVED this book and sped through it in pretty much two sittings (damn work getting in the way of my reading time grrrr!) What I liked about this book and how it differs from the others in the series is that it tells the story from other characters POV other then the h/H, in this book we finally get a good look at Lothaire The Enemy of Old, and I LOVED Nix and Lothaire's mini stand off! I cannot wait for Lothaire's book, I am not a huge fan of his but he is just crazy interesting, and I mean CRAZY! I can't wait to see who.what his Endgame is.
As for Declan and Regin, although as usual Regina was wicked cool and I loved her, Declan not so much. I preferred him as Aidan, her big blonde viking, rather then Declan the broody and dark Irishman. I just couldn't get over the torture both of her and her friends and allies, althought apart from the torturing and vivisections, he was a great guy...eventually!
We also get introduced to some new characters Thad and Natalya and I hope that they get brought up in more books. Also Love Boat *giggles* mentioned on the end, who else reckons that is Lanthe and Thronos?
Here are some of the quotes that I highlighted although there are loads more I loved!
Regina
"By Woeden's beard, she glows!"
Regin spat, "He does not wear a beard!"
"I finally understand what a dickie-do is. Your gut does stick out more than you dickie do."
"I need some assistance." When they slowed agog, she'd purred. "Can one of you help me find my orgasm?"
"...Now tell me why do you glow?"
"I touched a radioactive alien cock once."
NIX!!
"....you some-some meter in empty. What about that nice leopard-shifter oack that wanted to date you? The benefits of a variety pack of males cannot be overstated."
"I'm actively involved in steering the lives of thousands of beings. Which directly affects hundred of thousands, which indirectly affects millions, with a ripple effect reaching billions. If someone said 'It ain't easy being Nixie', I wouldn't call him a liar."
As for Declan and Regin, although as usual Regina was wicked cool and I loved her, Declan not so much. I preferred him as Aidan, her big blonde viking, rather then Declan the broody and dark Irishman. I just couldn't get over the torture both of her and her friends and allies, althought apart from the torturing and vivisections, he was a great guy...eventually!
We also get introduced to some new characters Thad and Natalya and I hope that they get brought up in more books. Also Love Boat *giggles* mentioned on the end, who else reckons that is Lanthe and Thronos?
Here are some of the quotes that I highlighted although there are loads more I loved!
Regina
"By Woeden's beard, she glows!"
Regin spat, "He does not wear a beard!"
"I finally understand what a dickie-do is. Your gut does stick out more than you dickie do."
"I need some assistance." When they slowed agog, she'd purred. "Can one of you help me find my orgasm?"
"...Now tell me why do you glow?"
"I touched a radioactive alien cock once."
NIX!!
"....you some-some meter in empty. What about that nice leopard-shifter oack that wanted to date you? The benefits of a variety pack of males cannot be overstated."
"I'm actively involved in steering the lives of thousands of beings. Which directly affects hundred of thousands, which indirectly affects millions, with a ripple effect reaching billions. If someone said 'It ain't easy being Nixie', I wouldn't call him a liar."
January 8, 2012
This was Dark! Much darker than most of the other books in this series and it hardly had any funny moments. Also, it takes place at the same time as Demon from the Dark, so I can see where the timeline could be confusing if I had not just recently read it. But I still really liked it, even with all the darkness and the angst.
I really loved Declan! Yeah, he did seem evil but the guy really didn't know any better. He had such a tortured, scarred life. I even liked Regin; I never liked her in any of the previous books. They made great enemies-to-lovers and I loved all the sexual tension!
My only issue with the book was all the flashbacks and dreams. I guess because of the way the author set up Declan and Regin's relationship the flashbacks were kinda required, but I found them mostly boring. Between the dreams and the flashbacks it seemed to be telling the same story over and over and over!
I loved the ending! Once I got to 70% the plot stopped being so predictable (remember, I already know a lot of what happens from reading Demon from the Dark). There were even a few surprises and a bit of a twist in then end.
I can't wait for the Enemy of Old to finally get his story next!
I really loved Declan! Yeah, he did seem evil but the guy really didn't know any better. He had such a tortured, scarred life. I even liked Regin; I never liked her in any of the previous books. They made great enemies-to-lovers and I loved all the sexual tension!
My only issue with the book was all the flashbacks and dreams. I guess because of the way the author set up Declan and Regin's relationship the flashbacks were kinda required, but I found them mostly boring. Between the dreams and the flashbacks it seemed to be telling the same story over and over and over!
I loved the ending! Once I got to 70% the plot stopped being so predictable (remember, I already know a lot of what happens from reading Demon from the Dark). There were even a few surprises and a bit of a twist in then end.
I can't wait for the Enemy of Old to finally get his story next!
March 19, 2011
5 Stars
What an Awesome book!!!
*~Spoiler Alert~*
Regin the Radiant finally gets her book. She is sexy, hot, funny, a badass Valkyrie. But with a very sad soul. She found her one and only but loses him and grieved for him...4 times. Oh the heart ache! But alas a HEA with Declan Chase the 5th and last incarnate of Aiden the fierce.
I was actually afraid I might not like Declan Chase and wondered how Kresley Cole can make the readers fall for him. I knew from the previous books that Aidan the fierce was mated to Regin and finds himself reincarnated over and over to be with her. How romantic!
But with his latest inacrnate to Declan, not so much.
He hated the lore, captured and tortured them including Regin. Unforgivable!!!
But as the curse goes, he will remember the past, Aiden to resurface, claim Regin and die, again.
Kresley Cole made Declan the worst possible man for Regin. But managed to give him good traits to deserve her. And wow, did Declan proved himself.
You will see charcter build up for Lothaire, Brandr(super hot), Thad, and Ulliam. Cole is also putting things in perspactive, setting up for the ascession and influence/role Nix plays.
Favorite scenes:
1. Brandr, Thad, and Lothaire giving Declan advice on how to win Regin back!
2. A certain grass bed by the shore where the numbers 6 & 9 happens.
What an Awesome book!!!
*~Spoiler Alert~*
Regin the Radiant finally gets her book. She is sexy, hot, funny, a badass Valkyrie. But with a very sad soul. She found her one and only but loses him and grieved for him...4 times. Oh the heart ache! But alas a HEA with Declan Chase the 5th and last incarnate of Aiden the fierce.
I was actually afraid I might not like Declan Chase and wondered how Kresley Cole can make the readers fall for him. I knew from the previous books that Aidan the fierce was mated to Regin and finds himself reincarnated over and over to be with her. How romantic!
But with his latest inacrnate to Declan, not so much.
He hated the lore, captured and tortured them including Regin. Unforgivable!!!
But as the curse goes, he will remember the past, Aiden to resurface, claim Regin and die, again.
Kresley Cole made Declan the worst possible man for Regin. But managed to give him good traits to deserve her. And wow, did Declan proved himself.
You will see charcter build up for Lothaire, Brandr(super hot), Thad, and Ulliam. Cole is also putting things in perspactive, setting up for the ascession and influence/role Nix plays.
Favorite scenes:
1. Brandr, Thad, and Lothaire giving Declan advice on how to win Regin back!
2. A certain grass bed by the shore where the numbers 6 & 9 happens.
February 18, 2011
What do you do when you love an author so much that you want to give them the acclaim they deserve???
You sit around typing, retyping, typing and retyping for long stretches of time trying to put into words why she is so fabulous...and then at the end of all that, you delete everything in complete frustration knowing that it is completely impossible to express how high you feel when reading her work.
So in a completely understated manner I will say that "I absolutely love, adore, cherish and worship everything that is Kresley Cole"
This book is just another installment in the phenomenal Immortals After Dark series and as with all the others I LOVED IT TO BITS!!!
A few of the MANY, MANY, MANY freakishly hilarious favourite quotes from this terrific book:
1. "I finally understand what a dickie-do is. Your gut does stick out more than your dickie do"
2. "Zing! Kick their mortal asses, Scot!" Regin cried along with the rest of them. "Fuck'em up"
3. "Psst, Chase. The sexual tension between us is grueling."
4. "Chase, I've tussled with vibrators stronger than your charge throwers."
*hangs head in shame* I am not worthy.
You sit around typing, retyping, typing and retyping for long stretches of time trying to put into words why she is so fabulous...and then at the end of all that, you delete everything in complete frustration knowing that it is completely impossible to express how high you feel when reading her work.
So in a completely understated manner I will say that "I absolutely love, adore, cherish and worship everything that is Kresley Cole"
This book is just another installment in the phenomenal Immortals After Dark series and as with all the others I LOVED IT TO BITS!!!
A few of the MANY, MANY, MANY freakishly hilarious favourite quotes from this terrific book:
1. "I finally understand what a dickie-do is. Your gut does stick out more than your dickie do"
2. "Zing! Kick their mortal asses, Scot!" Regin cried along with the rest of them. "Fuck'em up"
3. "Psst, Chase. The sexual tension between us is grueling."
4. "Chase, I've tussled with vibrators stronger than your charge throwers."
*hangs head in shame* I am not worthy.
June 27, 2014
Wow. Way to be the most boring book ever. Regan is awesome as always, but Declan Chase is boring beyond measure.
Also, the audiobook narrator should not be allowed to voice female orgasms. It's just incredibly disturbing when people walk in on that embarrassment.
Also, the audiobook narrator should not be allowed to voice female orgasms. It's just incredibly disturbing when people walk in on that embarrassment.
February 25, 2011
The time-line for Dreams of a Dark Warrior parallels with Demon from the Dark, and takes us back to that remote island prison in the Pacific. (In truth, these stories are going on at the same time - so be sure to have read Demon from the Dark first.) Valkyrie Regin the Radiant is being held prisoner by warden Declan Chase, a deeply troubled sexy mortal who believes all immortal creatures are evil and should be destroyed. He is a top member of The Order, an organization led by Webb who will stop at nothing to capture and learn about the immortals through vivisection (think of it as an autopsy on the living) and other torturous means.
However, Declan Chase is actually Regin's reincarnated lover Aiden, a mortal Viking berserker killed one thousand years ago before they could marry. Over the years, Aiden kept coming back in different forms via reincarnation - only to die again once Regin had found him and restored Aiden's memories with a kiss. So when Regin recognized Chase as her former lover Aiden, she is mortified by his torturous ways and intends to use the kiss of doom against him to help win her freedom.
Declan doesn't understand why he is so drawn to Regin, a filthy immortal! But he also doesn't realize he is actually Aiden. Throughout the book Regin and Declan fight their attraction and disgust with each other, which at times made for some great laughs and some good steam! So when chaos rains, Regin, Declan and a clan of immortals fight it out for freedom and revenge.
This book was a lot of fun to read. As we have come to expect from this series, it is filled with great action, hot sex scenes, and a mix of regular and new characters. We meet new comers Natalya, a fey, a half-ling high school kid name Thad, and Aiden's best friend Brandr, who won his immortality from the Gods a millennium ago. Nix returns, and as always was on her game! Love her! And we get to know more about vampire Lothaire, who just cracked me up every time he spoke. I am so happy his book is next!!
However, there were few aspects that I had issue with which is why I only gave it a B grade. For instance, Declan was a great hero but it took a long time to warm up to him since he was so dark and tortured through much of the book. But when he finally came around and recognized Regin as his woman, I forgave all his crimes against Regin and fell for the guy. However, I also felt many of his crimes against the lore were simply irredeemable.
Overall, this book was tough to put down! It is a bit darker than previous, including some gruesome torture scenes and possibly the coldest and meanest hero in the series yet. I loved how we got to meet Aiden in several of his reincarnated forms, and Regin was so witty and funny with her cutting dialogue she helped lighten the story and balance it out for a great read. (I think Regin is now my favorite heroine in this series.) And while I didn't warm up to Declan Chase as the book's hero until near the end, I think Regin and him ended up as a great couple.
However, Declan Chase is actually Regin's reincarnated lover Aiden, a mortal Viking berserker killed one thousand years ago before they could marry. Over the years, Aiden kept coming back in different forms via reincarnation - only to die again once Regin had found him and restored Aiden's memories with a kiss. So when Regin recognized Chase as her former lover Aiden, she is mortified by his torturous ways and intends to use the kiss of doom against him to help win her freedom.
Declan doesn't understand why he is so drawn to Regin, a filthy immortal! But he also doesn't realize he is actually Aiden. Throughout the book Regin and Declan fight their attraction and disgust with each other, which at times made for some great laughs and some good steam! So when chaos rains, Regin, Declan and a clan of immortals fight it out for freedom and revenge.
This book was a lot of fun to read. As we have come to expect from this series, it is filled with great action, hot sex scenes, and a mix of regular and new characters. We meet new comers Natalya, a fey, a half-ling high school kid name Thad, and Aiden's best friend Brandr, who won his immortality from the Gods a millennium ago. Nix returns, and as always was on her game! Love her! And we get to know more about vampire Lothaire, who just cracked me up every time he spoke. I am so happy his book is next!!
However, there were few aspects that I had issue with which is why I only gave it a B grade. For instance, Declan was a great hero but it took a long time to warm up to him since he was so dark and tortured through much of the book. But when he finally came around and recognized Regin as his woman, I forgave all his crimes against Regin and fell for the guy. However, I also felt many of his crimes against the lore were simply irredeemable.
Overall, this book was tough to put down! It is a bit darker than previous, including some gruesome torture scenes and possibly the coldest and meanest hero in the series yet. I loved how we got to meet Aiden in several of his reincarnated forms, and Regin was so witty and funny with her cutting dialogue she helped lighten the story and balance it out for a great read. (I think Regin is now my favorite heroine in this series.) And while I didn't warm up to Declan Chase as the book's hero until near the end, I think Regin and him ended up as a great couple.
November 16, 2015
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
Immortals have been disappearing for several installments now, and in DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR we find out why, so it was nice to get closure to one of this series’ long running secondary threads. Regin has also been one of my favourite IMMORTALS AFTER DARK characters since I first made her acquaintance which made this book extra rewarding for me. Then, enter Lothaire the enigmatic (and sexy!) Enemy of Old, plus the interconnecting of several previous plots, and you have one happy listener!
I absolutely loved the premise; a Berserker warrior falls short of winning his 200th battle, and with it his chance at immortality, as a consequence he’s stuck in an endless reincarnation loop that triggers whenever his memories come flooding back upon reuniting with his soul mate. It’s tragic. It’s sappy. And, I just gobbled it up! Every rebirth brings one of Aidan’s original personality traits to the fore, and Declan Chase represents the worst of him. If you have a thing for damaged heroes, DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR is your stop.
Regin the Radiant has always been one of this series’ more vocal characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her take center stage as this novel’s female protagonist. She has quite a mouth on her, so I was psyched that Kresley Cole didn’t hold back when it came to her dialogue. Her POV was a riot, but at the same time there was a touch of vulnerability to her as well that helped to ensure that there were as many feels as there were laughs which is equally imperative in Paranormal Romance.
Robert Petkoff’s narration was as impressive this tenth time around as it was the first. Chase has an Irish background, so he added yet another accent to his overflowing repertoire, and Lothaire’s Russian cadence was to die for. I’ve only had a tiny taste of what this particular vamp has to offer, but after sampling Petkoff’s rendition I want more! He also excelled at conveying Regin’s energy, and crazy antics, and his surfer dude reading of Thad was pretty gnarly too.
I want to marry DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR, and have audiobook babies.
Immortals have been disappearing for several installments now, and in DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR we find out why, so it was nice to get closure to one of this series’ long running secondary threads. Regin has also been one of my favourite IMMORTALS AFTER DARK characters since I first made her acquaintance which made this book extra rewarding for me. Then, enter Lothaire the enigmatic (and sexy!) Enemy of Old, plus the interconnecting of several previous plots, and you have one happy listener!
I absolutely loved the premise; a Berserker warrior falls short of winning his 200th battle, and with it his chance at immortality, as a consequence he’s stuck in an endless reincarnation loop that triggers whenever his memories come flooding back upon reuniting with his soul mate. It’s tragic. It’s sappy. And, I just gobbled it up! Every rebirth brings one of Aidan’s original personality traits to the fore, and Declan Chase represents the worst of him. If you have a thing for damaged heroes, DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR is your stop.
Regin the Radiant has always been one of this series’ more vocal characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her take center stage as this novel’s female protagonist. She has quite a mouth on her, so I was psyched that Kresley Cole didn’t hold back when it came to her dialogue. Her POV was a riot, but at the same time there was a touch of vulnerability to her as well that helped to ensure that there were as many feels as there were laughs which is equally imperative in Paranormal Romance.
Robert Petkoff’s narration was as impressive this tenth time around as it was the first. Chase has an Irish background, so he added yet another accent to his overflowing repertoire, and Lothaire’s Russian cadence was to die for. I’ve only had a tiny taste of what this particular vamp has to offer, but after sampling Petkoff’s rendition I want more! He also excelled at conveying Regin’s energy, and crazy antics, and his surfer dude reading of Thad was pretty gnarly too.
I want to marry DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR, and have audiobook babies.
February 9, 2022
3.5 stars
Hear this tale, the legend of Aidan the Fierce and Reingleit the Radiant One, a pair of lovers both bound and cursed by fate.
I’m not quite sure what to think of this book. Dreams of a Dark Warrior is definitely constructed differently than previous books in the Immortals After Dark series/universe. On the one hand, it features my favorite female character in the entire series (besides Nïx) as the female protagonist, Reign The Radiant. On the other hand, it also features one of my least favorite male characters in the entire series as the second main character, Declan Chase. In the end, what you think of this book may just come down to a personal preference.
She blinked up at him. "And these are your words of sentiment?"
"There's no poetry in me, Reignleit. No fine words." He stared down at her, his gaze begining to consume her. "I come to you as a man unfinished."
This book is definitely different than the others in the series. For one, the main romance is very unique and complex. In every other book in this series (so far) the two protagonists of a book have never met before the story starts. Dreams of a Dark Warrior contrasts from that strongly. A thousand years before the events of the beginning of this book, Reign fell in love (or like) with a Viking berserker named Aidan The Fierce. He died brutally in her arms, and over the course of a millennium, he’s been reincarnated in different bodies and fallen in love with her again and again. Only to die tragically once more, as soon as they kiss and he regains his full memories of his previous lives. This time around though, Aidan has been reincarnated into the body of Declan Chase. A mortal who hates immortals, and works for a mortal organization, known as The Order. Who are hellbent on imprisoning, killing, torturing, researching, and destroying immortals.
Aidan had been sword-struck in his first life, poised in his second, crushed during a shipwreck in his third. In his fourth, he'd been shot.
This was definitely an interesting take, and it’s a very complex and unique angle compared to other romances in the series. The two big problems I had with this story though, were that the male main character just wasn’t quite likable enough to be completely sympathetic or especially interesting. That, and the entire take on the reincarnation story, Declan redeeming himself, and how the romance unfolded, just didn’t feel 100% believable or complete. I kept waiting for when Declan’s character development arc would finish satisfyingly, but it never came. It seemed like he got three-quarters of the way there, but the last bit that was so necessary to the story and relationship development never came.
This Aidan version was Celtic. Before, he'd been a Viking beserker, a French knight, a Spanish privateer, and an English cavalryman.
I was also surprised and a little disappointed at how quickly and easily Reign and Declan got past his huge, and arguably unforgivable, transgressions. Declan had hated immortals his entire life. However, it only took him a couple of weeks to contemplate this and decide he not only wanted Reign but that he loved her. Which wasn’t the unbelievable part, seeing as he’d been deeply in love with her in multiple lifetimes before this one. And his initial relationship with Reign in his first life was over seven months long. The less believable part lies in why Reign so quickly fell in love with Declan. For two reasons. One, he’d imprisoned, tortured, and hurt her in unimaginable ways. Although, the truly unforgivable part of her torture wasn’t his fault. People had intentionally done things to prevent him from finding out about her torture, and he hadn’t known it’d happened to her until it was too late. Two, Reign hadn’t fully fallen in love with Aidan or any or his reincarnations. Except somehow, she’d fallen in love with Declan after all the terrible things that had happened to her because of him, in only a few days after she’d been hurt by him in unimaginable ways?! That just doesn’t make sense. Especially when she hadn’t loved Aidan as much as Declan, for some reason. I believe I would have definitely found it all more thorough and authentic if It’d taken weeks or months for Reign to fully love and trust Declan after all that. And I’d probably need some more character building and penance over a longer period of time for Declan to be more sympathetic and dimensional in my eyes.
Yet now she would have to pretend to be attracted to a man who'd mercilessly tormented her? Instead of giving in to her desire to play-dress him in his own intestines?
As far as writing goes, once again Kresley Cole improves and impresses. I’m not surprised at this point. Her writing ability just gets better and better with each book she writes. It’s a part of what makes reading this series so fun. Knowing that the author is constantly improving their storytelling ability for the better, and continuing to be a writer that’s always willing and trying to do better, and does. This allows her to follow her winning enemies-to-lovers HEA mate formula, while constantly finding new ways to shake up the story, and surprise the reader with different plot points, characters, romances, settings, and more. The ever-growing, yet subtle, world-building make this series a very enjoyable one to sink your teeth into, without ever feeling lost in the lore of the universe she’s created, but rather immersed instead.
"When you tortured me, I told you I'd make you pay in ways you couldn't imagine."
As ever, I was right. Lothaire almost sighed. The world is so tediously predictable.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior has a surprisingly, yet splendidly, well written and entertaining cast of secondary and supporting characters. Which includes a fun and welcome female friendship, a villain that must work with the heroes for survival, a male friendship, and a young overwhelmed (yet innocent) teenager new to the Lore. They all eventually even become a rag-tag crew of sorts. In a way, this was an interesting half step in a new direction, that still stayed grounded in the Immortals After Dark formula. Which is interesting, seeing as the romance took a half step back from the IAD formula itself. This wasn’t a story that just felt like two lovers and a few people in the background. It’s not like all IAD novels were built like that before. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (#3.0), Kiss of a Demon King (#6.0), and Pleasure of a Dark Prince (#8.0) most notably, all had interesting supporting and secondary characters. However, I think Dreams of a Dark Warrior takes the cake when it comes to dimensional secondary characters. I especially enjoyed Lothaire’s character and his POVs. The fact that whenever they were in life or death situations he was either just bored or annoyed, while everyone else was panicking or enraged, was infinitely entertaining.
"Take cover!" Declan tackled Reign back under the trees, sheilding her with his body. Everyone hit the ground, except for Lothaire, who yawned."
Now, I know that I’ve already said that I found the romance lacking from a storytelling perspective. However, I sadly also found it lacking in the sexy times department as well. The first spicy scene between Reign and Declan was quite good, but after that, things fell flat. I don’t know what happened, but there just suddenly wasn’t a slow-burn anymore. I felt like they just skipped right to sex and missed a few key steps on their way there. It just didn’t make a lot of sense why that would happen so quickly in their particular situation. Not only that, but it resulted in making a lot of their chemistry and sexual tension dissipate. Like throwing a bucket of water over a fire. Sure, that won’t put out the entire fire, there will still be embers. But the flame will fizzle out pretty damn quickly. The relationship just wasn’t as interesting after that.
She feared she might be jot more infatuated with this reincarnation. Like on her way toward falling-off-a-skyscraper-onto-your-face in love with him
Nonetheless, this was definitely a solid read. I may always be a little disappointed in this book, and perhaps always wonder what it could have been. I still believe that Reign deserves better, and she and Declan together just don’t make a whole lot of sense. I wondered If I just had really high hopes and standards for this novel because it was Reign’s book (and I love her and have been waiting for her story). But I know logically it just wasn’t as good as it could or should have been. Although, what this book lacks in heated moments, chemistry, love, sex, and romance, it makes up for with expectedly improved writing and world-building. As well as a surprisingly well rounded, interesting, and entertaining groups of supporting and secondary characters. This is definitely a must-read for fans of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series!
Because, gods help her, she wanted her scarred, surly, fucked-up Irishman more than she'd ever wanted her perfect Viking.
Hear this tale, the legend of Aidan the Fierce and Reingleit the Radiant One, a pair of lovers both bound and cursed by fate.
I’m not quite sure what to think of this book. Dreams of a Dark Warrior is definitely constructed differently than previous books in the Immortals After Dark series/universe. On the one hand, it features my favorite female character in the entire series (besides Nïx) as the female protagonist, Reign The Radiant. On the other hand, it also features one of my least favorite male characters in the entire series as the second main character, Declan Chase. In the end, what you think of this book may just come down to a personal preference.
She blinked up at him. "And these are your words of sentiment?"
"There's no poetry in me, Reignleit. No fine words." He stared down at her, his gaze begining to consume her. "I come to you as a man unfinished."
This book is definitely different than the others in the series. For one, the main romance is very unique and complex. In every other book in this series (so far) the two protagonists of a book have never met before the story starts. Dreams of a Dark Warrior contrasts from that strongly. A thousand years before the events of the beginning of this book, Reign fell in love (or like) with a Viking berserker named Aidan The Fierce. He died brutally in her arms, and over the course of a millennium, he’s been reincarnated in different bodies and fallen in love with her again and again. Only to die tragically once more, as soon as they kiss and he regains his full memories of his previous lives. This time around though, Aidan has been reincarnated into the body of Declan Chase. A mortal who hates immortals, and works for a mortal organization, known as The Order. Who are hellbent on imprisoning, killing, torturing, researching, and destroying immortals.
Aidan had been sword-struck in his first life, poised in his second, crushed during a shipwreck in his third. In his fourth, he'd been shot.
This was definitely an interesting take, and it’s a very complex and unique angle compared to other romances in the series. The two big problems I had with this story though, were that the male main character just wasn’t quite likable enough to be completely sympathetic or especially interesting. That, and the entire take on the reincarnation story, Declan redeeming himself, and how the romance unfolded, just didn’t feel 100% believable or complete. I kept waiting for when Declan’s character development arc would finish satisfyingly, but it never came. It seemed like he got three-quarters of the way there, but the last bit that was so necessary to the story and relationship development never came.
This Aidan version was Celtic. Before, he'd been a Viking beserker, a French knight, a Spanish privateer, and an English cavalryman.
I was also surprised and a little disappointed at how quickly and easily Reign and Declan got past his huge, and arguably unforgivable, transgressions. Declan had hated immortals his entire life. However, it only took him a couple of weeks to contemplate this and decide he not only wanted Reign but that he loved her. Which wasn’t the unbelievable part, seeing as he’d been deeply in love with her in multiple lifetimes before this one. And his initial relationship with Reign in his first life was over seven months long. The less believable part lies in why Reign so quickly fell in love with Declan. For two reasons. One, he’d imprisoned, tortured, and hurt her in unimaginable ways. Although, the truly unforgivable part of her torture wasn’t his fault. People had intentionally done things to prevent him from finding out about her torture, and he hadn’t known it’d happened to her until it was too late. Two, Reign hadn’t fully fallen in love with Aidan or any or his reincarnations. Except somehow, she’d fallen in love with Declan after all the terrible things that had happened to her because of him, in only a few days after she’d been hurt by him in unimaginable ways?! That just doesn’t make sense. Especially when she hadn’t loved Aidan as much as Declan, for some reason. I believe I would have definitely found it all more thorough and authentic if It’d taken weeks or months for Reign to fully love and trust Declan after all that. And I’d probably need some more character building and penance over a longer period of time for Declan to be more sympathetic and dimensional in my eyes.
Yet now she would have to pretend to be attracted to a man who'd mercilessly tormented her? Instead of giving in to her desire to play-dress him in his own intestines?
As far as writing goes, once again Kresley Cole improves and impresses. I’m not surprised at this point. Her writing ability just gets better and better with each book she writes. It’s a part of what makes reading this series so fun. Knowing that the author is constantly improving their storytelling ability for the better, and continuing to be a writer that’s always willing and trying to do better, and does. This allows her to follow her winning enemies-to-lovers HEA mate formula, while constantly finding new ways to shake up the story, and surprise the reader with different plot points, characters, romances, settings, and more. The ever-growing, yet subtle, world-building make this series a very enjoyable one to sink your teeth into, without ever feeling lost in the lore of the universe she’s created, but rather immersed instead.
"When you tortured me, I told you I'd make you pay in ways you couldn't imagine."
As ever, I was right. Lothaire almost sighed. The world is so tediously predictable.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior has a surprisingly, yet splendidly, well written and entertaining cast of secondary and supporting characters. Which includes a fun and welcome female friendship, a villain that must work with the heroes for survival, a male friendship, and a young overwhelmed (yet innocent) teenager new to the Lore. They all eventually even become a rag-tag crew of sorts. In a way, this was an interesting half step in a new direction, that still stayed grounded in the Immortals After Dark formula. Which is interesting, seeing as the romance took a half step back from the IAD formula itself. This wasn’t a story that just felt like two lovers and a few people in the background. It’s not like all IAD novels were built like that before. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (#3.0), Kiss of a Demon King (#6.0), and Pleasure of a Dark Prince (#8.0) most notably, all had interesting supporting and secondary characters. However, I think Dreams of a Dark Warrior takes the cake when it comes to dimensional secondary characters. I especially enjoyed Lothaire’s character and his POVs. The fact that whenever they were in life or death situations he was either just bored or annoyed, while everyone else was panicking or enraged, was infinitely entertaining.
"Take cover!" Declan tackled Reign back under the trees, sheilding her with his body. Everyone hit the ground, except for Lothaire, who yawned."
Now, I know that I’ve already said that I found the romance lacking from a storytelling perspective. However, I sadly also found it lacking in the sexy times department as well. The first spicy scene between Reign and Declan was quite good, but after that, things fell flat. I don’t know what happened, but there just suddenly wasn’t a slow-burn anymore. I felt like they just skipped right to sex and missed a few key steps on their way there. It just didn’t make a lot of sense why that would happen so quickly in their particular situation. Not only that, but it resulted in making a lot of their chemistry and sexual tension dissipate. Like throwing a bucket of water over a fire. Sure, that won’t put out the entire fire, there will still be embers. But the flame will fizzle out pretty damn quickly. The relationship just wasn’t as interesting after that.
She feared she might be jot more infatuated with this reincarnation. Like on her way toward falling-off-a-skyscraper-onto-your-face in love with him
Nonetheless, this was definitely a solid read. I may always be a little disappointed in this book, and perhaps always wonder what it could have been. I still believe that Reign deserves better, and she and Declan together just don’t make a whole lot of sense. I wondered If I just had really high hopes and standards for this novel because it was Reign’s book (and I love her and have been waiting for her story). But I know logically it just wasn’t as good as it could or should have been. Although, what this book lacks in heated moments, chemistry, love, sex, and romance, it makes up for with expectedly improved writing and world-building. As well as a surprisingly well rounded, interesting, and entertaining groups of supporting and secondary characters. This is definitely a must-read for fans of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series!
Because, gods help her, she wanted her scarred, surly, fucked-up Irishman more than she'd ever wanted her perfect Viking.
February 13, 2011
Let me get it out of the way and say that Dreams of a Dark Warrior (book #11) was amazing. Although I did enjoy Demon from the Dark a smidgen more, this is another fabulous addition to Kresley Cole’s very addicting Immortals After Dark series. Many of her fans have been waiting for the match up between Regin the Radiant, the glowing, loud-mouth, “rocks out with her cock out” Valkyrie, and her soul mate, Aidan the Fierce, the berserker who’s reincarnated time and again to find Regin, but it never ends happily for them. Aidan always ends up dead, and Regin spends another few hundred years waiting for the next reincarnation of Aidan to start the whole cycle again. Regin feels both she and Aidan are cursed, never to be together and to suffer alone.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior starts with how Regin and Aidan first met. Regin was only twelve at the time, searching for her beloved, missing sister Lucia. Aidan quickly realizes that Regin is his mate and will wait for her to grow up so he can claim her. But these two lovers can’t consummate their relationship. Since Regin is an immortal and Aidan isn’t, he must try to earn his immortality called Ohalla by winning two hundred battles in Woden’s name. Woden is a god and Regin is one of his daughters. Unfortunately Aidan jumps the gun because he can’t control his passion for Regin and the curse between these two unfortunate lovers is engaged.
Now in present day, Regin is waiting for the next Aidan reincarnation. But this time she’ll deny him to keep him alive and stop from doing two things with him that always leads to his death once they’re acted upon. But Regin has much more to worry about, because a mortal by the name Declan Chase, who’s part of a secret Order against the creatures of the Lore, will capture Regin and her kind, doing unholy experiments and tortures on them, hoping to eradicate their existence. Declan is filled with hate and wants revenge because of how his family was killed by a group of evil immortals who tortured and left Declan for dead when he was only seventeen. He’s very much a loner who wears black, won’t let anyone see him naked and is addicted to drugs to numb his pain and urges he can’t control for something or someone. And when he comes in contact with Regin, his reasoning flies out the window.
Regin figures out who Declan is inside, and in order to save herself and those of the Lore he has captured, she must make him remember his past lives because if she doesn’t, all the immortals could be destroyed for the Accession has arrived in full force.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior is set during the events of Demon from the Dark, but from Regin and Declan’s point of view. When it was announced who Declan was in Demon from the Dark, that reveal was one of most shocking things in possibly the entire series. I wondered how in the world Kresley was going to pull off Regin and Aidan’s HEA. She has definitely accomplished that in Dark Warrior with many happy results. Even though this isn’t as steamy as her past books, don’t worry, there’s more than an abundance of passion, but more of an emphasis on the action and the incredible and witty dialogue between the characters I cannot get enough of. Again Kresley gives us great insight on why her characters act the way they do. Regin is not the spoiled brat I had though her to be, and Declan is not evil, just misinformed and unbelievably full of suffering and guilt.
There are many familiar faces, most importantly the capture of Lothaire, the most ancient of all vampires who’s as remote and amoral as they come. Kresley has a major twist regarding him based on who his mate may be. I really thought I knew who he’d be mated with. How wrong I was! His book is next, and let me tell you, if Kresley hooks him up with whom I’m thinking she has planned, mainly based on the interactions between him and a specific character, it’s going to be the craziest and most spectacular book in this entire series! And I have no doubt that Kresley can pull it off. I wish I could tell you who I think Lothaire will be with, but that’s a humdinger of a spoiler right there. All I can say it is full of crazy awesome sauce, and this will be confusing for those who haven’t read Dark Warrior, but I do believe the black king will capture the white queen.
It’s pretty much a given I’ll read anything Kresley Cole writes. Dreams of a Dark Warrior is another book full of win by her. *Bows down at the altar of Kresley Cole*. I’m already dying for the next book (or at least a blurb to finally know who Lothaire’s heroine is). Kudos to Kresley for another top notch book that has made me invoke my favorite phrase- “I want to have babies with it.”
I think I want to have Kresley's babies as well.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior starts with how Regin and Aidan first met. Regin was only twelve at the time, searching for her beloved, missing sister Lucia. Aidan quickly realizes that Regin is his mate and will wait for her to grow up so he can claim her. But these two lovers can’t consummate their relationship. Since Regin is an immortal and Aidan isn’t, he must try to earn his immortality called Ohalla by winning two hundred battles in Woden’s name. Woden is a god and Regin is one of his daughters. Unfortunately Aidan jumps the gun because he can’t control his passion for Regin and the curse between these two unfortunate lovers is engaged.
Now in present day, Regin is waiting for the next Aidan reincarnation. But this time she’ll deny him to keep him alive and stop from doing two things with him that always leads to his death once they’re acted upon. But Regin has much more to worry about, because a mortal by the name Declan Chase, who’s part of a secret Order against the creatures of the Lore, will capture Regin and her kind, doing unholy experiments and tortures on them, hoping to eradicate their existence. Declan is filled with hate and wants revenge because of how his family was killed by a group of evil immortals who tortured and left Declan for dead when he was only seventeen. He’s very much a loner who wears black, won’t let anyone see him naked and is addicted to drugs to numb his pain and urges he can’t control for something or someone. And when he comes in contact with Regin, his reasoning flies out the window.
Regin figures out who Declan is inside, and in order to save herself and those of the Lore he has captured, she must make him remember his past lives because if she doesn’t, all the immortals could be destroyed for the Accession has arrived in full force.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior is set during the events of Demon from the Dark, but from Regin and Declan’s point of view. When it was announced who Declan was in Demon from the Dark, that reveal was one of most shocking things in possibly the entire series. I wondered how in the world Kresley was going to pull off Regin and Aidan’s HEA. She has definitely accomplished that in Dark Warrior with many happy results. Even though this isn’t as steamy as her past books, don’t worry, there’s more than an abundance of passion, but more of an emphasis on the action and the incredible and witty dialogue between the characters I cannot get enough of. Again Kresley gives us great insight on why her characters act the way they do. Regin is not the spoiled brat I had though her to be, and Declan is not evil, just misinformed and unbelievably full of suffering and guilt.
There are many familiar faces, most importantly the capture of Lothaire, the most ancient of all vampires who’s as remote and amoral as they come. Kresley has a major twist regarding him based on who his mate may be. I really thought I knew who he’d be mated with. How wrong I was! His book is next, and let me tell you, if Kresley hooks him up with whom I’m thinking she has planned, mainly based on the interactions between him and a specific character, it’s going to be the craziest and most spectacular book in this entire series! And I have no doubt that Kresley can pull it off. I wish I could tell you who I think Lothaire will be with, but that’s a humdinger of a spoiler right there. All I can say it is full of crazy awesome sauce, and this will be confusing for those who haven’t read Dark Warrior, but I do believe the black king will capture the white queen.
It’s pretty much a given I’ll read anything Kresley Cole writes. Dreams of a Dark Warrior is another book full of win by her. *Bows down at the altar of Kresley Cole*. I’m already dying for the next book (or at least a blurb to finally know who Lothaire’s heroine is). Kudos to Kresley for another top notch book that has made me invoke my favorite phrase- “I want to have babies with it.”
I think I want to have Kresley's babies as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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